Page 61 of Playing With My Fire

“I see you’re still avoiding our little newbie.”

I barely glance at Beau. “Can she still be considered a newbie now that she’s been here for over four months?”

He cocks a brow that screams. ‘Really?’

I shrug and continue walking, but he doesn’t take the hint. “A little birdie told me you’ve been seeing her.”

I stop and turn on a dime bringing us face to face, but I refuse to give an inch and step back. Neither does he.

“And by little bird, you mean Caleb?”

His smirk is of the shit eating variety. “You know, those two became fast friends. As thick as thieves.”

Yeah, it warms my heart to see my closest friend and the first person who’s ever cracked the defenses around my heart grow close. It was a hard pill to swallow before I admitted to myself that Sakura matters.

I like her a lot. I may even start to… no.

Not yet, anyway.

Although, I can’t stop my heart from beating a staccato at the thought alone.

I lean even closer so my lips graze his ear, but he doesn’t react whatsoever. The stoic bastard.

“I don’t need these monkeys knowing anything else about my private life.”

I finally take a step back, but I ignore the relief that spreads like wildfire.

He sucks in a breath and bites his lip but nods his ascension.

“Thanks, Beau.”

His eyes widen a smidge, it’s the closest I’ve seen his veneer cracking, but I’ll take it.

For weeks Sakura and I have carried on this double life. One where we barely interact at work, and when we do, it’s strictly professional. Not only because I want to keep my private life private, but it’s not exactly acceptable for us to date, especially since we’re on the same shift and doubly so because I’m her boss.

Soon enough, that won’t be an issue as she’s already put in her resignation. Her last day will be April twenty-ninth, but it’s not common knowledge. I’m not sure if I’ll be ready to go public with her once she’s no longer my subordinate, but it opens a lot of doors.

Meanwhile, everyday we don’t work she comes over, and I teach her more about shibari. She’s taken to her role as a bunny quite beautifully. The breathing quickly became natural. Not to mention how flexible she is. She rarely complains, but she knows not to hide her discomfort, and it’s easy enough for us to make the necessary adjustments.

She’s become my regular bunny during my classes much to my sister’s relief. Aly had been through a lot, and I had convinced her that it would help her relax and let go as long as she trusted me. It worked, but it still wasn’t her cup of tea.

Mostly, she humored me when my need for her help grew necessary because I refused to take on another bottom after Michelle. Not only did I fear leading someone else on, it felt like a betrayal to Sakura. Even though we’d yet to make any promises to each other.

And strangely enough, I wanted to make those promises. If I dig deep I know I already consider her mine. What’s holding me back you might be asking yourself?

She’s just so young and innocent. A virgin, and the more she tells me, I discover that I’m the first person she’s ever been attracted to. It’s a lot, a big responsibility which isn’t a problem, I’m used to responsibility. Even though my Abuela raised my siblings and I, she owned the bar and relied on me a lot to help keep an eye on Eduardo and Aly. It came naturally, being in charge, and I learned just how much I loved it when I began dipping my toe in D/s.

Even though I avoid direct contact with my beautiful hummingbird, I can’t stop my eyes from following her. The way she moves is graceful, like poetry in motion. She was made to be trussed and my mind is always busy coming up with new ways that I can twist her form.

She catches my eye quite often, always blushing, at times smiling. Even rarer, she’ll offer a saucy little wink. She’s so fucking adorable, and it’s all I can do not to eat her up.

I’m so worked up by the end of my shift that I can’t stop myself. I surreptitiously look around the ladies locker room. Once I’m certain it’s empty, I sneak up behind her and wrap my arms around her tiny waist. She startles and whips her head around, but once she’s sure it’s me, she relaxes.

“Hey, beautiful.”

I nuzzle into her neck, breathing in her sweet scent. “Hey, sweet girl.”

I turn her in my arms and give her the softest kiss that leaves her breathless. It’s empowering to have such an effect on her.

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