Page 292 of Boots, Bucket Lists & Bad Ideas

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The truth is, just giving it to her, letting her take charge, excites and terrifies me all at once.

She rises to her knees. “Oh, I intend to.”

That tiny promise sends a tremor down my spine.

I turn my back to her and kneel on the bed. My hands press into the sheets, and my back arches slightly.

Fuck, my heart hammers.

I can’t help but recall how wrong it went last time, how exposed and violated I felt. There had been no warning, no permission, and I hadn’t been prepared—nothing like this with Jade.

“Ready?” Her tone is playful, yet commanding, and I catch a glimpse of that smirk of hers.

My pulse spikes.

I swallow hard. “I don’t know if I—” My voice falters, caught between nerves and desire.

Her fingers brush against my shoulder, then wrap around my neck. She leans into me, her face inches from mine, as she clings to me for support.

“Relax. You’re safe with me.” She brushes a light kiss over my lips, and I close my eyes, inhaling all that is her.

I want to believe her.

Ineedto.

And yet, part of me hesitates, afraid, remembering the sting of the last time, but this isn’t the last time, and she’s not just any other woman.

“Hart, if you don’t want to, I understand.”

I open my eyes and find hers waiting so patiently, with kindness and love reflected. No, this certainly is nothing like the last time.

“I trust you,” I say.

“Do you want a safe word?”

I shake my head. “I don’t need one with you.”

“Well, maybe not with this, but in the future it might be necessary.”

I laugh as much as I can with my nerves. “Fuck, Jade. I can only handle one thing at a time.”

She grins wider. “I’m going to be honest.”

“Alright.”

“I really want to spank you with this clipboard. To have that control. To dominate you.”

“Now you’re just scaring me.” It’s not entirely a lie but thrilling at the same time.

“Do you like it?”

“We’ll find out, won’t we? Get back there before I change my damn mind.”

She kisses me with a squeak and is beside me with the clipboard, hovering.

My stomach clenches.

“Ready?” she asks.

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