Page 104 of Illicit Education

When he finished, he held my hands up and lowered his mouth to my ear. “Talk to me, Rylan.”

I moaned, tilting my head back to look at him.

His eyes searched mine. “Are you okay?”

“I’m…” I bit down on my lip as a wave of lust rolled over me.

Reed’s eyes widened, then he gave a curt nod.

In the few times we’d practiced this, I had been my usual annoying self, teasing him and trying to get a smile out of him, refusing to sit still, the whole shebang. I’d never become turned on, so this was a surprise for both of us.

“Keep your arms above your head.” He released me and I nearly crumpled forward, quickly bringing my arms back above my head like I’d been instructed.

I closed my eyes, focusing on keeping my arms pointing straight up, which must have been the point because I was so intent on not dropping my arms that the threat of orgasm passed.

Holy shit. Did I really just…?

Did I almost…?

I rolled my lips together to keep from laughing.

I’d almost just donethaton stage.

In front ofpeople.

Many. People.

I don’t even know who you are anymore, Rylan Janine.But, I mean, this new version of me

Did

Not

Suck.

“Rules,” Reed bellowed out into the audience, making me jump, “as I mentioned earlier, are in place for safety. Yours, mine. Ours. Master or slave, safety comes first. It’s important to remember that regardless of your rank in a scene–or even in a relationship–each person must consent.” Still standing behind me, he reached forward with both hands, his fingertips just inches away from the full mounds of my breasts.

I focused on his suspended hands, barely able to breathe. God, he drove me crazy. I just had to get through the next few minutes, then he’d take me to a private room and give me what I wanted.

Him.

“When you come to a place like the Rabbit Hole,” Reed continued, “you will see patrons in various positions, situations, and dress. It is important to know that just because a woman might be bent over a spanking horse, she is not yours to spank.” He wrapped his hand around my bound wrists. “Just because you might come across someone bound and defenseless, that person is not yours to touch.”

I sucked in a shaky breath. He could touch me any damn time he pleased.

“Unless explicit consent is given, do not lay your hands on anyone else.” He paused. “Do you consent to being touched?”

I nodded.

Reed retracted his hands and I sagged with disappointment, even though this was all part of the scene we’d practiced earlier.

“What my volunteer has just demonstrated is that consent must be verbal. Clear and concise. A simple head nod will not suffice.” He moved into my line of sight, standing before me and lowering himself to a squatting position so our eyes were level. “Do you consent to being touched?”

Do I ever!“Yes.”

“Louder.”

“Yes, Master,” I stated boldly.

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