by Marie Tuhart
The frown was gone, and his gaze blazed with desire. He stepped forward, causing her to retreat. Once inside he slammed the door.
“Drop the towel.”
“What?” Her heart raced. He had this…she didn’t know what to call it other than, his Dom look. His eyes were dark with desire, he looked bigger, more muscular… Her bones just about melted.
“Drop. The. Towel.”
Oh God, that voice. The deep, husky, commanding tone went straight to her core, making her wet. Her fingers trembled as she loosened the towel from around her chest. Was she really going to do this? Was she ready to do this?
Cameron’s warm fingers closed over hers. “Am I moving too fast?”
She wanted to deny it, but…what? He was going to see her naked somewhere along the line. “No, I just didn’t expect you to demand me to drop my towel.” Hadn’t she complained to herself the other day that he was moving too slow?
“Ground rules, remember?” he asked. “When we’re alone, I’m in control.”
“And I agreed.” She blew out a breath as he dropped his hand. Closing her eyes, she loosened the towel and let it fall to the floor. Would he find the flaws that others had?
The silence in the room caused her to shiver with apprehension.
“You are gorgeous.” His words were quiet. “Open your eyes, sweetheart.”
Kristen raised her chin and let her lashes lift. The look of amazement and wonder on Cameron’s face almost brought her to her knees. “You don’t mind?” Her voice was soft.
“Mind what?” His fingertips traced her shoulders.
“My breasts are a little small, and my hips a little big.”
“They’re perfect.” His breath brushed her cheek. “You’re perfect.”
The fabric of his shirt rubbed against her breasts as he moved closer, making her nipples harden as he pulled her into his embrace.
“But…”
“Perfect.” His arms tightened around her as his hands cupped her ass. “Don’t you believe anyone who tells you anything else.” He slapped her ass.
“Cameron.” His name came out more excited than startled.
“As much as I’d like to keep you this way, I do have plans for today. So go get dressed.” He stepped back.
She missed his warmth and touch, but with a saucy grin, she turned and sashayed her way to her bedroom.
Cameron adjusted his cock in his jeans. Damn, seeing her dressed in just a towel had made him harden, but then when she’d dropped it…full-on erection. He strode over to the window and looked out at the street.
He needed to calm his dick down. Otherwise, today’s plans would go up in smoke. It was the end of their first week together. They’d spent time doing what normal couples did. Cameron let out a laugh.
Normal couples. Kink was perfectly normal. But he hadn’t rushed the kinky stuff. Instead, he’d taken her out to dinner and had spent time with her while she baked. They’d kissed, but today, he was going to up the ante. He would show her his playroom and see how she reacted.
After seeing her perfect body, he wanted nothing more than to take her to bed. Maybe tonight. No. Not yet. They could play. He wanted to learn her body, hear her cries of pleasure, and read every nuance she had before they moved on to more relationship stuff.
“Ready,” she said.
He turned. She was dressed in a pair of jeans with a flowered T-shirt and sneakers.
“Great.” He held his hand out to her, pleased when she slipped hers into his.
Kristen locked the door when they stood on the landing, and he kept her hand in his as they negotiate the stairs down to his car. He was reluctant to let go of her as he held the car door open for her. She climbed in and once he made sure she was in, he let go. Cameron rounded the car and climbed in.
“What’s on the agenda for today?” Kristen asked as he pulled away from the café.
“It’s a surprise.” He tossed her a grin. “Did you finish reading the book I gave you?”
“Yes. Oh darn, I left it in my bedroom.”
“I don’t need it back; you keep it.” He turned onto the road leading out of town. He’d given her a book on the D/s lifestyle and what it could contain. “So what did you think?”
“Interesting.”
“More than that, Kristen. Was there anything in the book you didn’t understand? Anything that you are worried about?” He was happy she found it interesting, but he wanted to answer any questions she might have.
She wiggled in her seat. “Nothing I can think of. It seemed pretty basic.”
He nodded as he turned into his driveway. “Good.” He parked, and together, they strode up the walk and into his house. After removing their shoes at the door, he guided her to the family room and motioned toward the forest green sofa. “Have a seat.”
He waited until they both sat before he started speaking. “I want to go over a few rules before we do anything today.”
“Okay.” She twisted a lock of hair around her finger.
Damn, he wasn’t trying to make her nervous, but he wanted to make sure she understood she could call a halt to anything at any time.
“I want you to talk to me, ask me anything you need to ask. There is nothing off limits with us anymore.” He waited for her to respond.
Her gaze darted around the room as if she was trying to come up with an answer. “But my hard limits?”
“Hard limits are still in effect. But if you have questions about something I’m doing—want to know about a toy, have a concern, anything at all—I want you to talk to me. I don’t want you scared or frightened.”
Her lips turned up in a grin. “I think some fear is natural.”
“Maybe, but I don’t want you running away.” It would crush his heart if he frightened her away.
“Not going to happen.”
“Good. What is your safeword?”
“Bacon.”
“To get me to slow down?”
“Cheese.”
He smiled; she had told him she used food as safewords because it was something she would remember but wouldn’t use during playtime by accident.
“All right. I want to make sure you’re okay with what is going to happen today.”
“Cameron.” She placed her hand on his arm. “I’m fine with you. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here.”
“Negotiation. I’m not going to tell you everything.” If for some reason things didn’t work out between then, he wanted her to be able to negotiate with others. His gut tightened. Just the thought of her with someone else made him sick.
“All right.”
“Today, we’re going to be in my playroom.”
“You have a playroom?” There was eagerness in her voice, and it pleased him.
“Yes. We’re going to explore it together today. And probably try a few things out.”
Her eyes lit up, and his own excitement rose. “What are we waiting for?”
He laughed. “Eager little thing, but first things first.” He dipped his head and captured her lips with his. Subtle hints of coffee and raspberries teased his taste buds as they kissed.
She followed his lips as he pulled back from the kiss, and he fought against hauling her against him. One thing at a time.
“So here’s how we’re going to proceed today.” His fingers brushed down her cheek. “You’re going to look around my playroom. Note anything that is a hard limit that we haven’t already discussed.”
“What do you have in there?”
“You’ll see. After that, I’d like to see how you respond to being tied up on the equipment of my choice.”
“That’s fine.” Her eyes were bright with excitement.
Cameron took her hand, stood, and guided her down the hall, coming to a stop in front of a closed, oak door. “Open the door and go in, the lights are already on.” He released her hand.
She had to take this step herself. It had to be her choice, not his, to explore his lifestyle.
Chapter Eight
Kristen placed her fingers around the door handle as Cameron stepped back from her in the hallway outside his playroom. Her heart pounded. Was she really going to do this? Oh, hell yeah. She was dying to see his playroom. She pushed the handle down, and the door slid open.
Her breath caught in her throat. The room was decorated in deep reds, browns, and black. Various pieces of equipment were spread around the room, cabinets set off to one side. She tried to take it all in.
“If there’s anything you want to know more about, or an explanation about, let me know.”
“This is all yours?”
“Yes. I’ve been collecting for a long time.”
Kristen stepped into the room. The floor under her feet was different. It looked like hardwood when she glanced down but didn’t have the hardwood feel to it. “The floor is different.”
“A special type of tile that matches the hardwood, but it’s softer and easier to clean.”
She nodded and walked over to the row of open cabinets. The wood of the cabinets gleamed as if they’d just been polished. The first one held drawers. She opened them one at a time.
Dildos, vibrators, an assortment of insertable toys, and clamps. He probably had a full adult store’s worth of items in here. A grin played around her lips when she noticed the cock rings; she wondered if she could convince him to wear one.
The next cabinet held rope, scarves, and cuffs. The last one…her breath whooshed out of her. Several spreader bars and a multitude of floggers and whips hung inside. All different sorts. Different textures and lengths.
But there was also a drawer in the cabinet, and she pulled it open. Kristen tilted her head. These were different, and she wasn’t sure what they were. They looked like canes, but not. “What are these?” She gestured to the brightly colored items.
“Those are acrylic canes.”
“Acrylic?” Her hand rose. “May I touch them?”
“Yes.”
Kristen ran her fingers over the bright-blue colored one. There were several colors and sizes. There were a couple of clear ones, one that looked like a big square, and another made into a spiral. “And these?” She pointed to a set of small ones that actually looked like fiber optic cables.
“Ah, those.” Cameron reached around her and picked one up. “These are for more delicate areas, to tease you with.” He tapped one against her breast over her clothing.
Heat burst over her skin. “Okay.” Her voice was a little high, but pure passion flowed over her skin at the thought of Cameron using them on her delicate parts.
She turned from the cabinets to observe the rest of the room. A St. Andrews cross, a spanking bench, a massage table and a longer, bigger spanking bench. There were rings in the ceiling and walls. A swing hung in another corner.
Kristin pivoted on her heel and stared at Cameron. “Now what?”
“No questions?” He tilted his head.
“Nope. Most of the equipment I’ve seen before. The toys are toys. I’m good.”
“Okay. We’ve never talked about protocols.”
She frowned. “Protocols?”
“Yes, I’m not very strict. I know many in the community that are. My main request is when we’re at the club or in the playroom, you will call me Sir.”
“Yes, Sir.” The title flowed from her. Cameron was so different from her first boyfriend, and from those she’d seen in the community. All they had seemed to care about was their own pleasure and humiliating other people.
“Very good. Here’s your first test. I want you to undress and lay down on the massage table.”
Kristen swallowed as Cameron stared at her. Her heart rate picked up, and her fingers trembled as she slipped off her T-shirt and folded it. Her jeans went next.
“You can put them on the chair.” Cameron pointed to a straight-backed chair she hadn’t noticed earlier.
Padding to the chair, she set her clothes on the seat then leaned down to slip off her socks. Her back was to Cameron, but he didn’t say anything. Now she was just in her bra and panties.
A tremor went through her body. Her bra came off next. Her nipples were already hard and begging for attention. She blew out a breath and slipped her panties off. He’d already seen her naked, so why did this feel different?
Without looking at him, she strode across the room to the massage table and lay down on her back. Her chest rose and fell with her rapid breath. She closed her eyes, trying to find a way to calm herself while she waited for Cameron.
Her ears picked up the rustling of clothing. Then feet padding against the floor. The sound of drawers opening and closing made her shiver. What was he planning?
“You are so beautiful.” His breath brushed over her cheeks.
She’d been so lost in thought she hadn’t heard him approach her.
“Open your eyes, sweetheart.”
Kristen did as he asked.
Cameron was leaning over her, his blue eyes focused on her face. “That was hard for you?”
“Yes, Sir” she whispered.
“Why?”
She wrinkled her nose. “I’m not sure. I mean we’ve kissed, we’ve been out together. Hell, you’ve seen me naked already. This felt different, Sir.”
“Tell me what felt different to you?”
Kristen stared into his blue eyes. They were calm, but a flash of desire showed. “Maybe because we’re in your playroom. Maybe because this is the first time in a long time I’ve been naked with a man with the intent of doing something naughty, Sir.”
His eyebrows rose. “Are you afraid?”
She shook her head. “Nervous. Excited. But not afraid, Sir.”
“Good.” He straightened up. “I’ve got a set of scarves in my hands. I’m going to restrain you.”
“Yes, Sir.”
He grinned, and warmth filled Kristen’s body. She had pleased him. Wait a second. Was she worried about pleasing him?
“Lift your arms over your head and cross your wrists.”
She did, and almost immediately, soft, silky fabric slid over her wrists. A shiver danced over her skin. Round and round the fabric went around her wrists until he tied it off.
“Okay?” Cameron’s face appeared again. “Not too tight?”
Kristen tugged. There was a little give. “It’s fine, Sir.”
“Your body is flushed. Are you enjoying this?”
“Yes, Sir.”
The pads of his fingers trailed over her sensitive skin from neck, between her breasts, over her belly, then on to her right leg. Cameron’s strong fingers encircled her ankle and pulled her legs apart. Kristen stiffened.
“Baby, relax.” His grip loosened.
“Sorry, Sir.” She tried to command her muscles to release, but nothing happened. Fear had her in its grips. Oh Lord, she couldn’t do this. She couldn’t let go enough for Cameron to tie her up. She was a failure. Just as her boyfriends had told her. Tears filled her eyes.
“Kristen.” Cameron’s voice was gentle. His fingers left her ankle and moved to her cheek, stroking it softly.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered as a tear slipped from the corner of her eye.
Cameron swore silently. He picked up the safety scissors, slipped them between her bound wrists and cut the scarf away. The second her hands were free, he dropped the scissors and scooped her into his arms. His warmth surrounded her.
“I’ve pushed you too fast,” he whispered against her hair as he crossed the room and picked up a folded blanket. He strode over to the sofa against the wall.
He sat down and gently cradled her against his body until he maneuvered the blanket around her, and then he put her on his lap. She couldn’t seem to stop trembling.
Cameron fought the anger welling in him, anger with himself. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered.
Where had he gone wrong? Her body had been flushed with excitement, her breathing a little fast, but nothing that had indicated distress.
“It’s not your fault.” She sniffled.
Cameron snagged a box of tissues he kept close by. He pulled several out and slipped them into her hand. She dabbed at her eyes and blew her nose.
He held her, going over everything in his head. What had he missed? If he could put his finger on it, maybe he could figure out what scared her.
“Cameron.” Her soft fingers touched his cheek. “You did nothing wrong.”
He gazed down at her. Her green eyes were bright but clear. She’d stopped shaking and was resting against him, her body lax in his embrace. Her left hand still rested on his cheek, grounding him.
“It is my responsibility to make sure you were ready. I pushed.” He berated himself. They needed more time to get to know each other. A week wasn’t enough.
“You didn’t.” She wiggled in his lap. “I just haven’t been restrained since that first time. I didn’t realize I needed more time to adjust.”
“I should have realized it.”
“Stop it.”
His head jerked up. “What did you say?” Women didn’t talk to him like that, especially not in his playroom.
“At least I got your attention, Sir.” Her lips curled up. “Please stop blaming yourself. I want to be with you, Cameron. I want to explore kink with you. Neither of us could have predicted what had happened.”
“Do you know why you froze up on me?”
“My gut says fear. Not of you, but of old fears.” She shivered.
“You’re cold.” He made a note to make sure to turn the heat up in the playroom the next time they used it.
“A bit.” She snuggled into the blanket.
“Let’s fix that.” He set her on the sofa then stood and crossed the room. He picked her clothes off the chair and brought them to her. “Get dressed. I’ll be in the kitchen, making some coffee.”
Cameron strode into his kitchen, calling himself all sorts of names. No matter what she said, he was the dominant, and he took his responsibilities seriously. By the time he had two cups of coffee ready, Kristen came in and sat on one of the breakfast bar stools.
“Thanks,” she said when he pushed a mug in front of her. She lifted it and sipped then let out a groan. “Hell, you really do pay attention. My coffee is perfect.”
He grinned. “Yes, I do.” He sipped his own brew then put the cup down. “We need to discuss this.”