The Words to Bind (The Playgrounds Book 1)

by P. Stormcrow

  “Well, take it easy, Luna.” August’s frown eased just a little.

  Never had so many people all expressed concern over her. In that single moment, she realized she hadn’t just found a community of like-minded souls or a potential Dom. She had found a family.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  “You okay up the stairs?” Jacob asked for the third time as they made their way to the third floor of the club. He was bordering on nagging but he wasn’t familiar with the injury Luna had sustained and, unable to identify with it, he needed to err on the side of caution.

  “Yes.” There was a sigh of mild exasperation accompanying Luna’s reply, despite the way she hopped up the stairs. That, he recognized. She was trying to minimize the height to which she had to lift each leg.

  Lani’s teasing earlier echoed in his head. She had accused him of fussing over Luna like a mother hen.

  He was not fussing.

  “Luna.” There was a hint of warning in his voice. She was a tough one, but he also needed to know that she wasn’t pushing her physical limits too hard, in particular to please him. If she weren’t in such pain, he would haul her in his lap and give her a good spanking for her attitude.

  “I’m going slow. I promise.”

  Jacob sighed and pushed his hair back. His original plan was to show Luna the private rooms, since she’d never quite had a full tour of The Playgrounds, then run her through a simple positioning exercise, giving her a taste of what training with him would be like. But with her current state, the positions would exacerbate her injury, so he would have to content himself with only the first portion of the plan.

  When they arrived on the third floor, he heard a small gasp and allowed himself a chuckle as they gazed down the long hall, doors lined on each side. “Each of these is a private playroom. The themed ones are closer toward the end of the hall, along with staff offices. But these…” He took her hand and led her toward one with an open door. “These are more general.”

  Aware that the sight of it would shock her, he kept his hand over hers, ready to ground her as he studied her reactions. Luna’s eyes widened into saucers and her chest rose and fell in more shallow breaths as she beheld the room.

  It was tasteful in its decor, much like most of The Playgrounds. Cherry red wood panels lined the walls, equipment and toys of sorts lined against one side. A harness dangled from a hook on the ceiling and another padded bench sat along the other side, looking much more innocent than it had any right to be.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I think so.” She sounded breathy and her grip had tightened around his.

  It was time to intervene. He led her over to a panel of controls by the door. “Each room has a security feed, both video and audio. It ensures that safe play is happening, even in private. However, play partners can consent to turning video and-or audio off.” As he explained, he gestured toward the well-labeled controls.

  Luna studied the panel and he could almost see that big brain of hers turning, considering the possibilities. Good. He wanted her to imagine what could happen, to entertain thoughts of future time with him. Her imagination pleased him like it had the other night.

  “I’d like to use one of these rooms for some light training. Not tonight, though. I don’t want to make your injury worse,”

  She swallowed and he felt a sudden urge to kiss down that throat. Perhaps he should just close that door now, tie her up and…

  What’s the matter with me?

  “What kind of training?” She had tensed and there was wariness in her eyes. Jacob reached out to rub her shoulders, soothing her nerves.

  “Have you ever had positioning training?”

  When Luna shook her head, he wondered for a moment just what kind of experience she’d had. Well, they all had a past. She hadn’t asked about his.

  “There are various positions a Dom may ask their sub to assume, either during or before a scene—or when we’re in a kink-specific setting like this place. They vary from kneeling or standing to sitting.”

  Her lips formed a small O. Had she realized that she had spread her legs apart and bent her legs at his description? Perhaps it was part of her martial arts training.

  “Another night. I don’t want to push it.” For emphasis, he drew her aside and led her out of the room.

  “I prefer private play and play in these rooms is acceptable. You may request it and I’ll take it into consideration. If a piece of equipment strikes your fancy, let me know.” He promised nothing but he would have her communicate her desires.

  Luna nodded, quiet as she chewed her lower lip.

  “Luna,” he chided and tugged at it, tracing it with his finger. “One day you’ll chew yourself raw. Then how am I going to kiss you?”

  “Sorry.”

  “Please take better care of yourself—or I will really show you what punishment can be like.”

  Luna’s entire body grew rigid, and she glanced back toward the room where the open door still showed whips and floggers hanging from the wall.

  “Luna.” Jacob’s gaze followed hers. Then taking her chin by thumb and forefinger, he tilted her face back toward him. “I know anything beyond mild pain is a hard limit for you. There are other forms of punishment and we’ll explore those too, if we have to.”

  She relaxed but looked up at him, still in surprise. “How did you—?”

  “I’ve seen your responses to those implements, or the sight of someone being flogged, enough times to surmise that you have no interest in those kinks yourself.” He smiled and leaned forward to kiss her forehead. “That’s fine. They’re not my cup of tea either.”

  Behind them, the door to another private room opened and a familiar-looking woman with a cascade of coiffured blonde curls emerged, clad in a slinky black latex dress and five-inch stilettos. Even from a distance, Jacob noticed her eyes widening as she caught sight of them.

  “Oh my God, is that you, Jacob?” With a squeal, she closed the distance and tackled him.

  He gave a yelp of surprise as he almost lost his balance, catching the over-enthusiastic girl in his arms. “Hi, Selina. What’re you doing in these parts?” He chuckled as she kissed him on each cheek before stepping back. She had always been affectionate

  “Ah, just in town for a quick visit with some friends,” she replied. “You look amazing.”

  Selina was always energetic too. He remembered that much about her. How she had exhausted him in the year he’d trained her, even by the simple act of talking his ears off alone.

  “Thank you. You too.” Ah, Luna was staying silent, standing farther back behind him, as if giving him room. But her posture spoke of awkwardness and hesitation, as if she were curling into herself. That would not do. He reached over, wrapped an arm around Luna and pulled her close. “Selina, may I introduce you to Luna. Luna, meet Selina.”

  The wan smile Luna gave was not much of an improvement. But it didn’t seem to deflate Selina’s enthusiasm as she squealed, taking Luna’s hand in both of hers. “Luna, oh my… Are you one of Jacob’s new pets?”

  Watching her cheeks flush, Jacob tried to keep the smugness out of his responding smile and gave Luna’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. “For tonight anyway. Though I’m hoping she may agree to longer.”

  Selina leaned in toward Luna and, with a conspiratorial look, stage-whispered to her. “Isn’t he always such a charmer? You should totally go for it. You’d be in for a treat. Trust me. I would know.” She winked and giggled.

  “Well, thank you for the raving review.” Jacob rolled his eyes but noticed that Luna had not spoken, reverting to the little mouse he’d first thought of her as. Something was wrong. Perhaps she was feeling overwhelmed. Despite being a sub, Selina had a rather larger-than-life personality.

  From behind them, the door opened again, and they all heard a growl. “Selina, you brat, where did you go?” An older man with just a light silvering in his hair came out of the same room, adjusting his shirt collar. He, too, turn
ed in surprise when he caught sight of them. Jacob grinned. Good. Selina was still with the Dom he had matched her with. They had moved away together a few years back, if he remembered right.

  “Piers, how are you?” Jacob extended his hand in greeting, even as Selina giggled, half skipping back toward the man’s side.

  “Jacob, fancy seeing you here.” They grasped each other’s arm and shook. He turned then toward Luna. “And this lovely lady is?”

  “Luna, Sir.” His mouse spoke at last.

  “Pleased to meet you, Luna. Has Selina been bothering you? She can be a handful.”

  At that, Selina pouted and Jacob had to wonder how he’d survived her for as long as he had. That’s right…They’d never done a formal contract, and after a year, he’d already been eager to find someone for her. Piers had been a pure stroke of luck.

  “Not at all.” Luna’s voice was small but she remained polite.

  Selina beamed at the answer Luna gave. “See! I’m behaving. Now I think you promised me a drink.”

  Piers sighed and placed a hand on top of Selina’s head. “Okay, okay.” He turned back toward Jacob. “We’re just heading down to the bar. Would you and Luna like to join us?”

  Jacob spared another glance toward Luna then turned toward Piers. “Maybe soon. I was just giving Luna a tour.”

  “Very well. I hope we’ll see you later.” Piers was too polite in his comment, but Jacob glimpsed that slight smirk lurking on his face. He must have thought they were about to pick a room to play in. If only.

  “Bye, Jacob. Bye, Luna. Have fun!”

  Piers guided Selina out, who waved back with a last giggle.

  They watched as the other pair left, but Jacob didn’t break the silence until the couple was down the stairs and out of sight.

  “What’s wrong, Luna?”

  There was wariness in her eyes as she turned toward him and he decided that he didn’t like the look one bit. Other emotions flitted across her face but they were too quick for him to parse.

  Luna opened her mouth and closed it again before taking a deep breath. Her chest rose and fell and the charm he gave her glittered against the black lace. She wouldn’t have realized it but it was a rare gesture for him. Something in him had propelled him to give her something of his—and he always trusted his gut.

  “I want to say nothing but, to be honest, I’m not sure yet.” Her gaze remained on the stairs.

  “Selina was someone I trained informally a few years back. She came to me, adamant that she was a sub.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “To be honest, I probably bit off more than I could chew with her. But I gave her enough that she was ready by the time Piers came along, and I was happy to match them.”

  “How many subs have you trained?”

  It wasn’t the place where he wanted to discuss this, but he didn’t dare take Luna back into a private room where their power dynamics might make her hesitant to ask what she needed to know. So, he stayed rooted.

  “Over the years, around twenty.” He had nothing to hide. His past was his past. It wasn’t as if Luna didn’t already know that he was a trainer.

  “I see.” A pause. “Selina called me one of…”

  He shrugged. “Sometimes I took on two at a time.”

  “And now?”

  Jacob raised a brow. The last question gave him some hint where her head was at. It was one thing to hear the stories about his experience as a trainer, and quite another to be shown it with actual names and faces.

  “That was when I was younger and had more energy.” He observed her, not wanting to make himself out to be someone he wasn’t. If she wanted him, there were truths she had to accept. “I take on a sub and train them three years at a time. After that, I make sure they settle with a Dom who is not only compatible and someone they’re interested in but also someone I know who will treat them right.”

  “I see.” The same answer again. Jacob wished he could read her mind. She had schooled her face to a neutral expression.

  He sighed and placed a hand on the small of her back to guide her toward the stairs. “Do you want to head home and take some time to process?”

  She nodded once.

  “Come on. I’ll drive you home.”

  Well, there goes the evening.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  It had been three days. Luna still hadn’t been able to bring herself to call or text Jacob since that night and he had let her be, giving her the space she needed.

  Why does he have to be so damn nice?

  Her fingers wandered to her lips, remembering the last tender kiss he had given her that left her very much wanting more. Jacob had told her to take however much time she needed and to call when she was ready to talk. She didn’t want to leave him hanging, but wasn’t sure what she wanted yet.

  Who was she kidding? She wanted him. She just wasn’t sure he was good for her.

  As she sat at her small writing desk at her home, Luna stared at her silent phone then at the page in her journal, as blank as her mind. She didn’t care about his past with other subs, but she wasn’t sure about what lay ahead. Did she want to get involved with someone who had a three-year limit? Was that something she could live with? Would they be exclusive? Was that something she even wanted? Those questions circled like annoying flies but she still had no answer.

  Why had she sat down again? Oh yeah, she’d thought while she’d showered that she had some inkling of decisions made at last. But nope, whatever conclusions she’d thought she had come up with had all scurried away. With a heavy sigh, she closed her journal and eased herself out of the chair. She had better get going or she was going to be late.

  A short bus ride took her to a burger diner. For a brief minute, she forgot her confusion about Jacob as she looked forward to both the decadent strawberry milkshake and the company. It would be the first time she would get to hang out with both Lani and August at once by herself and she couldn’t wait to tease the new couple.

  When she pushed the door open, a blast of air conditioning and a cacophony of noises greeted her. The place was busy for a Tuesday night—always a good sign.

  There they were, chatting, engrossed with each other, and Luna hesitated, wondering if she should intrude at all. After all, she would be third-wheeling.

  Before more doubts could assail her, Lani waved from where they sat side by side. Luna waved back and made her way toward them.

  As she slipped into the booth, their server swung by, smiling in greeting. “Hi. My name is Denise. How’s everyone doing tonight?”

  Lani returned the smile. “We’re fantastic.”

  “Excellent. Is there anything I can get you to drink?”

  “Strawberry milkshake!” Luna’s hand shot up like she was in class again, her earlier doubts forgotten.

  “Make that two.”

  “Make mine chocolate.” The last was from August, much more subdued than her or Lani.

  “Coming right up.”

  “So, how are you two doing?” Luna cut in right away before they had a chance to question her as Denise left. She knew why they had scheduled dinner with her. They had both texted with concern when she and Jacob had left on Saturday without a goodbye.

  Luna had the pleasure of seeing August pinken and Lani grinned, patting him on the arm. “We’re fine,” he answered, pushing his glasses up the ridge of his nose.

  “We’re doing great.” Lani emphasized the last word and gave her a wink. “We’ve been very busy.”

  Both girls burst out into giggles and August shook his head. “Jacob warned me once that the two of you together was trouble.”

  The statement only made both of them laugh harder until Denise returned with their milkshakes and took their food orders before striding off again with purpose in her steps. Silence fell as they all took their first sips. Luna’s eyes rolled back in her head. The mounds of whipped cream on top made the drink all that more heavenly.

  “So, how are you and Jacob?”

 
Luna’s eyes snapped back to focus on the two before her. Although it was Lani who had asked, August studied her, his eyes intent.

  “I’m not sure.” Luna pushed her milkshake away a little and stared at an interesting speck on the table. The silence that returned to settle there seemed at odds with the rest of the diner and Luna squirmed before she looked at both of them again.

  “We ran into Selina the other night.” Luna pulled the milkshake back toward her and took a long sip, wishing that it contained alcohol. Then it hit her. She sounded like some insane possessive bitch.

  “No, I mean, I don’t care about that. We each have our own past,” she explained with haste, her words tumbling out in a rush of near-incoherence.

  She could see both August and Lani relax. “I’m not jealous of his past. He’s a trainer, so that logically means he’s had other subs in the past. I guess I’m just worried about the present and the future.”

  “You know,” August murmured, “if I remember right, it’s been at least two years since Jacob even contemplated taking on a sub and I don’t know if I’ve seen him with anyone, even casually.”

  Lani nodded. “That’s pretty accurate. He comes out to help other Doms sometimes, but it’s been a long time since he’s been interested in someone. To be honest, half of us thought he was semi-retired.”

  “Oh.” Luna gaped at them both, unsure how to respond to that revelation. As luck would have it, she didn’t have to, as their burgers and fries arrived. Saved by food once more.

  “Enough about me, though,” Luna declared at some point, while making headway with her own meal. She felt guilty for always using the two for them as free therapy. They were friends. They deserved better. “So, a long weekend coming up. Any plans?”

  “Actually”—now Lani leaned in closer—“we’re planning a longer trip away. Thinking of using this weekend to plan.”

  “Oh my God! Where to?” Excitement filled Luna’s voice. If she weren’t still holding her burger, she would clap her hands together. As she was, she bounced in her seat.

  August cleared his throat and dabbed the corners of his lips with a napkin. Sometimes she swore he would eat his burger and fries with a fork and knife if he could.