Page 34 of Taming Seraphine

“Cautious,” he replies. “I need to know your boundaries before we begin. What things make you uncomfortable apart from shock collars?”

“Rude men,” I say.

“That much is obvious,” he says, his eyes twinkling. “Anything else?”

“Don’t tamper with my food or anything I drink, and don’t shoot me with tranquilizer darts.”

His face drops. “I wouldn’t do that.”

“Good, then can we begin?” I ask.

Leroi rubs the spot between his brows. I’ve observed him do this enough now to know it’s because he’s frustrated. I lean forward and take a sip of a milkshake that has the texture of melted ice cream infused with strawberry pulp.

I’m deadly serious about learning some self-control. Gabriel is going to be frail and weak when we find him. He’s going to need a lot of care. I can’t nurse him back to health if I keep lashing out at the first flash of temper.

Leroi is the only person who might be able to help us. He’s cool and efficient, like the handler, only that man was creepy and cruel. He knew I was in that basement against my will, but all he cared about was getting me ready to execute the most powerful man in New Alderney.

“Let me take you somewhere that will help you understand my question,” Leroi says, already sounding like he doesn’t believe me.

* * *

Fifteen minutes later, we’re standing in Wonderland, a huge store that smells of rosemary and sage. It’s dimly lit with black furniture and racks upon racks of sex toys hung on its cherry-red walls. It looks nothing like Alice in Wonderland. Leroi strolls to the back as though he’s been here a hundred times, and I stay close to his side.

It’s empty, save for the woman standing behind the counter wearing a burgundy corset with chains looping out of its pockets. Blood-red hair spills down her tattooed shoulders, and the miniature top hat perched on her head tells me she’s cosplaying the Mad Hatter.

She’s only looking in our direction and not approaching, so I turn my attention back to Leroi. It might seem strange that I’m allowing him to take control of my pleasure when I don’t understand his ulterior motives, but I trust Leroi not to take advantage since he’s already been such a gentleman.

I’ve never heard of an aroused man with a gun not using his bargaining power to get off. For the first time, I’ve wanted to do more with an erection than slice it at the root. Leroi might just be the one who helps me feel good.

“When I asked about limits, this is what I was talking about.” He gestures at a rack of leather belts and cuffs. “These are used for bondage.”

Ropes of varying colors hang beside a display of small black shackles with silver studs, and realization dawns on me with the speed of a hurricane. Leroi wants to tie me up.

Memories surface, reminding me of the early days before I learned how to defend myself from the twins. I snatch my hand away. “No ropes.”

“I’m not asking you to try any of these,” he says, his voice low. “We need to know your limits.”

“I’m not sure about the leather stuff,” I say. “But definitely no ropes.”

“Good.” He places a hand on the small of my back, his warmth seeping through my shirt and infusing me with a sense of calm. “Let’s move onto the other toys.”

The next rack contains blindfolds. Leroi extracts a black leather one and holds it out to me. The fabric behind it is a soft suede that feels like velvet.

“These are for sensory deprivation.”

I nod. “That’s okay, but I want pink.”

Leroi chuckles. “Good choice.”

My gaze wanders to a delicate-looking blindfold with winged tips. Instead of choosing that, he picks up a padded one that’s large enough to cover the ears. Since it’s the color I want, I don’t object, and we move onto the next rack.

“These items are for impact play.” He gestures at some leather paddles.

They come in all shapes and sizes. One looks like a ping-pong paddle, another a hairbrush, and another resembles a spatula you’d find in a kitchen. Next to them is a rack of canes. Seeing them leaves me feeling indifferent.

“Spanking would be better,” I reply with a shrug.

“Let’s move onto the next.”

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