Page 55 of A Good Girl's Guide to Dominance
“Actually, I've never been down here with anyone,” he says.
I frown hard, my forehead wrinkling like a bed sheet. “What? Why?”
“Because I went through a dark, sad, solemn period after my father died,” he says, stepping toward me. “I didn't want to do anything but lie in my bed and cry, and that’s exactly what I did on most days for a couple of months. But eventually I got up, took account of everything my father left me in his will, and started thinking of what I wanted to do with it all. He left behind a pretty decent amount of money, his house, and two successful businesses. Once I was able to bring myself to sell everything, the sum was astronomical … but not enough to overshadow my grief. So I started to begin my life again. I bought this house, furnished it, and started going out to try to find out how tolive without either of my parents around anymore. I started the process of purchasing Sandcastle, and slowly began to search for happiness again. But I never met anyone that I wanted to bring down here. I've had a few flings, admittedly, but nothing serious, and this …thisis for serious.”
Rome gestures toward the basement, asking me to take it all in and understand exactly what he's saying. He built this for when he was ready to have someone to use it with. He wanted someone worthy of it, and he has chosen me. He wants me to be the first.
“And you see me as something serious?” I ask, just making sure I'm not misreading the tea leaves.
He clears his throat. “I do, and I hope you see me as someone worthy of your consent.”
I've waited so long for this that I can barely believe any of it is real. Rome is a dream escaping my mind and inserting itself into my reality, and this room would scare the living shit out of everyone I know. But I have a growing sense of trust for Rome that gives me comfort while standing in it. That is what this is all about—finding someone you can trust in the darkness. I thought the search for something like this would be endless, but it feels like I just crossed the finish line.
“I do,” I reply, copying him. “I see you astheperson worthy of my consent. You have it … now what do you intend to do with it?”
Rome’s smirk tells me everything I need to know, but I want him to show me. My nerves stand on end in anticipation of his next move, and when he takes a step in my direction, I know my world is about to change forever.
“I intend to make your biggest fantasies come true,” he answers. “You said you’d never been with anyone who had the tools required to bind you properly. So tonight, that's exactly what I'm going to do.”
Twenty-Eight
Idon't feel nervous. More sensitive? For sure. But I'm not afraid of what’s about to happen. When Rome takes my hand in his, I don't feel the urge to pull it away and bolt back up the stairs, needing more time for him to earn my trust. I'm placated by it. I feel comfort and safety as he walks me over to the spanking bench and tells me to stand in front of it without moving. My blood rushes through my veins like a raging river, but it’s excitement, not timidness that fills my body.
As he takes his time removing my dress, slowly kissing just above the fabric as he slides it off my arm, I quiver, my body’s natural response to the amazingness of this moment and the joy I feel in it. He takes his time, no longer using words to prove his point. Everything is done with action, intention, and desire. He drops to his knees to help me step out of my clothes, sprinkling soft kisses down my body, even on my feet as I step out of the dress and stand completely naked before him, totally exposed and left with nothing but trust.
“Have you been on one of these before?” he asks as he stands, using the back of his hand to caress my skin softly.
“No, Sir,” I reply with a subtle head shake.
“Good. That means I get to be the memory you have of using it for the first time. Take my hand. Let me guide you.”
I place my hand in Rome’s and turn toward the spanking bench, inspecting it further now that I'm close enough to see all of the details. There are six cushions with buckles secured to four gold legs, each one made of soft, black leather that looks and smells brand new. Rome wasn't lying when he said none of this had been used before. Four cushions are lower than the other two, clearly indicating where your arms and legs go. The higher cushions are for the user’s torso and face to rest comfortably, the largest cushion containing a hole near the back end. Rome helps me as I lift a leg and throw it over to the other side of the bench, centering myself on the torso cushion and letting my arms and legs drop to the lower ones.
“You good?” Rome asks once I'm positioned properly.
“Yes, Sir,” I reply.
“Good,” he says as he un-secures one of the buckles. “Now, this is the part where your trust for me will be tested. Are you ready?”
I nod, swallowing hard as the thrill of what's about to happen makes my heart gallop like the hooves of a thousand horses.
Rome takes his time securing each buckle and tightening down the straps they are attached to. He binds my left arm first, then my left leg, before moving to the right side and repeating the process. When he's finished, only my head is free to move up and down. The rest of me is totally under his control.
He steps to the front of the bench and crouches down in front of me until our faces are only inches apart.
“Repeat after me,” he says, looking me straight in the eye. “La regina.”
Italian rolling so easily off of his tongue makes me blush, but I remain focused and follow his lead.
“La regina,” I repeat.
“Good. Again.La regina.”
“La regina.”
“Good girl,” Rome says with a proud smile. “This is your safe word. It means ‘The Queen’ in English.” As I nod my understanding, Rome continues. “In this dynamic of ours, it will never be forgotten that you are in charge. I am the Dom at your request and approval, a king who rules over his queen by her royal decree. Your consent will always reign supreme, and if you ever feel the need to remove it, all you have to say isla regina, and everything will stop immediately. It is my most sacred vow to you. One I will never break. No matter what we’re doing or how good it feels to me, you are the priority.La reginashuts all doors at once, and I will never hold that against you or make you feel pressured to continue. You arela regina. You are the queen, and I belong to you just as much as you belong to me. Got it?”
When I smile, it is filled with so many feelings—lust, happiness, trust, affection, need, desire, joy, excitement, satisfaction. I feel everything all at once, and there’s a part of me that wants Rome to undo the straps just so I can throw my arms around him. He doesn't know how long I've waited for him.
