Page 9 of Learning to Run

Cashel snorted as Gareth finally came out of the kitchen andremembered I was on the couch. “Oh. Um, hi, Sir.”

How did other Doms manage not to laugh all the time?

“Hello, my curious boy.” Setting my books on the couch, Ileaned back and spread my legs, setting a pillow on the floor. “Come kneel forme.”

It might keep him out of trouble for at least a few seconds.

“Yes, Sir.” Having something to do that would make me happyhad him worrying less and he perked up as he walked over. “I was helpful in thekitchen.”

Cashel’s snort called that into question but I didn’t pointit out.

“I’m so glad you were helpful.” I waited as he cocked hishead looking at the pillow on the floor. It only took a moment for him to nodto himself as he studied it like he was getting ready to tackle someone or kicktoward a goal.

When he had the motion right in his head, he lowered himselfto the floor, more gracefully than I’d expected. I had a boy who’d clearly beendoing his research because he even rested his hands on his knees and didn’tfidget for at least ten seconds.

“Beautiful.” Leaning in, I gave him a quick kiss. “Thank youfor researching kneeling for me. It makes me feel special and I appreciate howseriously you took it.”

His smile was so bright it was almost glowing. “It madesense and wasn’t scary online. Oh, for future reference, don’t Google BDSM andtorture.”

I was the best Dom in the entire world and didn’t laugh atall.

“I bet the results were disturbing.” God only knew what he’drun into. “I won’t do that.”

“Good.” He nodded, looking delightfully serious. “Butsearches for typical rules from a Dom and manners to use with your Dom weren’tbad. Some were confusing, though.”

That didn’t surprise me.

“I’m impressed with all your research, and I’m going toremind you that you can always come to me with any questions or if there’s justsomething you want us to look up together.” Just in case it was scarier than heexpected.

Blinking, Gareth let out a sigh. “Yeah, I probably should’vehad someone do it with me, but I keep underestimating how weird the internetis.”

That had laughter pouring out of the kitchen.

Gareth shrugged, looking like he understood Cashel’sdelight. “If Brady can look things up online, I thought I should be able to.But regular sub stuff is a lot more interesting than little stuff.”

Hmm, he had a point.

Some people would have trouble with things like diapers, butaside from that, it was easy and not scary in the slightest.

“But you are very brave by doing research and smart enoughto know when to stop.” People did not always realize how important it was toknow that limit.

Boundaries were for our brains too and Gareth needed happylimits around his imagination.

“I was smart.” He paused, then frowned as he looked at me.“Not fast enough with being smart, though.”

“It’s a learning curve.” Deciding he needed a distraction sohe didn’t start remembering the scary things he’d found online, I ran my handover his head and then slowly trailed it around his ear and down his neck.

As he shivered, I dropped my voice lower. “There are all kindsof fun things to learn about, though. Like looking sexy and beautiful as youkneel for me, and the toys like the small flogger I have in the bedroom.”

He’d thought that was fascinating, and I had a feeling he’dbe willing to try anything that inched him closer to his spanking.

We both ignored Cashel’s snicker but it was for differentreasons. Gareth was looking at me stunned, so I wasn’t sure he’d heardanything. It took a few seconds for him to process, but eventually, he noddedslowly. “Yes…I…yes, I’m curious about fun things.”

It was such a wonderful understatement I gave him anotherkiss.

He was so vested in making sure he didn’t lose theopportunity to explore something new he swallowed and licked his lips as I satback. “I like learning.”

“You do.” I kept skimming the pads of my fingers over hishead and down his neck, taking my time. “Would you like to learn a few newthings with me?”

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