Page 31 of What About Love

“Pardon?”

“Respect, Angie. You’re in the club now. How do you address your dom?”

“Sir, of course. Are you going to spank me, sir?”

“That’s better. There is more to BDSM than spanking, although it’s a very common type of play. Did Dan give you a sample?”

She nodded. “He restrained me to a bench, and...” Her voice trailed off as she wrapped her arms around her waist, hugging herself. Never in her life had she imagined being a part of such a conversation.

T was in front of her, his hands cupping her jaw, angling her face up to his.

“And?” he prompted, his voice insistent.

“He punished me with a paddle.”

“You were a bad girl already?”

“My mouth got me in trouble.”

“No surprise there, little bit. When was this? Last night?”

“Yes.”

He turned her gently, his hand gliding over her back as he bent her over his forearm. His cool fingers ran over each cheek lightly.

“What are you doing?” she gasped, thoroughly shocked.

“Checking for bruises or welts. I don’t see any. Are you still tender?”

Stunned at the unexpected inspection, her jaw dropped open and she stammered her answer. “No, er... Well, um, yes.” She paused, knowing she sounded like a ninny. “I mean, the paddle stung quite a bit during, but it didn’t last long and wasn’t nearly so bad to leave marks.”

“Good. I won’t have to kick his ass when he gets back.” He said this softly, and although she could hear the smile in his voice, she got a feeling he wasn’t kidding. He rose, turning her to face him once again. “If it didn’t hurt too badly, did it perhaps feel good?”

Her cheeks flamed. How did she answer that?

“Never mind.” The edge of one thumb swept over the crest of her flushed cheek in the softest of caresses. “This pretty blush is answer enough. Let’s get you up on the cross and explore. I think we might find other things that feel just as good, if not better.”

He produced a pair of white leather fleece-lined wrist cuffs from his bag. Once applied snugly, with his front pressed to her back, he inched her forward and attached the cuff to hooks high above her head.

“The leather is stiff because they’re new. I selected everything in my bag just for you, little newbie. If anything pinches or hurts, I expect you to tell me.”

She nodded.

“Out loud, little bit.”

“Yes, sir,” she replied.

“Again, these are the basics. I’m beginning to think Dan didn’t teach you anything.”

“He did, but I’ve been on edge. I’m afraid I may have forgotten some of them.”

“Respect, verbal responses, and safewords are rules you cannot forget.”

“Sir, speak don’t nod, yellow means slow down, and stop is red. I’ll remember this time.”

“That’s very good, newbie.”

Moving a half step back, his touch didn’t leave her. He gathered her hair, pulling it forward over one shoulder, exposing all of her back. With fingers splayed wide, his hands slid down slowly, along either side of her spine.

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