Page 33 of Playing With My Fire

He chuckles, adamantly shaking his head. “Oh no. We may have played throughout the years, but I could never consider her my Master. It would be too weird. And just so you know, a female Dom is called a Domme.”

“Okay, that’s good to know.” I nod, even though I can’t hear the difference.

“I don’t suppose you’d be interested in attending one of her private parties?”

I rear back. “Oh no, I couldn’t,”

He leans into me. “No, you totally should. You won’t learn anything here, but at her parties? Well, let me just say, you’ll leave with your eyes wide open.”

It’s tempting. Too freaking tempting.

“I don’t think I’d fit in at a party, especially not one like that.”

His large hands encompass my face so I’m unable to look away. “Now, listen up, buttercup. There’s no such thing as not belonging, not in this lifestyle. As long as you follow the rules and don’t rain on someone else’s parade, then you’ll get along just fine.”

I nod, and his hands slowly slide away. “What are the rules?”

“There are three big ones. Safe, sane, and consensual. They sort of speak for themselves, but as a sub, you need to remember you can say no to anyone, anything, at any time. There are safe words that dominants must listen to no matter what. You are expected to always be one hundred percent honest about everything. Whether it’s physical, emotional, or mental, you need to say it. Aftercare is a must. If a top ever leaves you high and dry after a scene, you report it immediately.”

“To who?” I inquire.

“Anyone you know in the lifestyle.”

I smirk. “So, you.”

While in my head I can’t picture anyone but her.

He smirks right back and wraps his arm around me. “If you’re really interested, you’ll meet lots of people at the party, but you can always come to me. No matter what.”

It’s a lot to take in, but I can’t deny that I can breathe easier knowing Caleb is in my corner. And I do want to go. I want to learn more, but I especially want to attend because it’s her party. I want to see her in her element, even if that means seeing her dominating another.

The thought alone makes me queasy and dizzy and… gulp.

Can I really handle seeing her with someone else?

Resolutely, I decide. “I want to go.” I burst out.

“Yeah?”

I nod.

He pulls me closer in a tight bear hug. “Oh, buttercup, I can't wait to open up your world.”

And I can’t wait to see her in all of her glory.

Chapter Twelve

? Estrella ?

A few hours into my shift, the alarm blares, and we all jump into action. It’s almost second nature pulling on my gear and jumping into the truck before it speeds away, sirens flashing and whirring so loud it echoes inside my skull. I’m not sure I’ll ever grow used to the noise, which makes ear plugs the greatest invention.

Long before we arrive, you can see great heaving masses of dark gray smoke overtaking the dark night sky. The smell similar to that of a campfire overwhelms the senses, burning my nostrils and stinging my eyes. I knock the mask down to counteract it and try to even my breaths as the surge of adrenaline rises inside me.

I bless every lucky star that the humongous fire is limited to the lonely barn. The tree line isn’t close enough to catch, and the burning hasn’t reached ground level, which is a giveaway that the fire started in the barn’s loft.

As soon as we stop, everyone rushes to help pull the hose out before the water surges. It takes most of us to keep it steady as we aim the water high and slowly move it back and forth. I can’t tell you how long it takes before the fire eventually slows to a stop, but by the end, my arms are aching, wet noodles that I can barely lift.

I’m sure it’ll hurt for days, which is a bummer for my extracurricular activities, especially my classes. I’ll have to ask my friend Jackie to cover for me.

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