Lessons From the Professor

“Since we just faced your baggage head on, it only seems fair I share mine. I know I overreacted the last time we were together, but I had my reasons. I took the time these past couple of weeks to work my way through … unresolved issues.”

Sutton turned to face him when they reached her car, and smiled. He was an unconventional sort of handsome. His nose was a bit too large, and slightly curved from his years playing rugby when he was younger. His salt and pepper hair was mostly salty. Still, right now he was her knight in shining armor. She wasn’t used to having someone defend her and fight her battles. It was something she could get used to.

She titled her head back to glance up at him a she leaned against the car, and slid her hands into his soft onyx strands of hair. She rose up onto her tip-toes and allowed her mouth to caress his in a gentle meeting of lips before she pulled away.

“Thank you.”

“I told you I take care of what’s mine,” he said.

“Am I?” she whispered as she traced a finger down his neck, smirking when he hissed.

“Are you what?”

“Still yours.”

“Yes, if you want to be.”

“I’ve missed you terribly, Sid. I won’t even attempt to lie about that. However, the disappearing act has to be addressed. I won’t be with someone who runs hot and cold again.” She shook her head as she pushed away thoughts of Jackson. This was her chance for closure, and a fresh start.

“I would never expect you to deal with that on a long term basis, Sutton, and that’s why I asked for some time apart.”

“Speaking of time, how did you manage to show up just when I needed you?”

“I was just leaving my office for the evening when I got Leigh’s text.”

“I’m glad. I don’t think he would have taken my brush off seriously.”

“That’s because he’s an arrogant horse’s arse.”

She laughed at his accurate description. “You hit the nail on the head there.”

“We should continue this in a more private location. Do you want to follow me back to my place?”

She nodded her head as they parted ways, and she slipped inside of her car.

Chapter Eleven

Sidney began his explanation once they were seated on his couch with drinks. She opted for water, but he found he needed a scotch to take the edge off. He swirled the amber liquid in his glass as she waited patiently beside him.

“When I met Christine, she was twenty-seven and I was forty-six. We were at a BDSM club event. I play often, but it’s not a practice of mine to take on submissives personally. So when she approached me, I didn’t think of anything more than the pleasure we brought one another.”

He paused to take a sip of his drink as the moment replayed in his mind. It was times like this he cursed his photographic memory. The images were just as fresh as the day it had occurred.

“She was young, blonde, and eager to learn. At first, the age difference didn’t bother me. She was a woman in search of knowledge, and I was indulging her. The first time we met she was un-collared and curious. So when she asked for a demonstration I agreed.”

“What did she want a demonstration of?” Sutton asked.

He cringed mentally as he glanced up and met her gaze. “Flogging.”

Her eyes widened, but he was relieved to find them free of censure.

“I started her off with a light round of gentle swats. She came alive underneath the leather tassels, and I knew she had the potential to make someone a great sub.”

“Is that what changed your mind?”

“No, she was very green, and I wasn’t. Newbies in general are a risk to invest your time in because they’re basically auditioning the lifestyle to see if it suits them. When you add youth on top of it, the odds of them walking away after you’ve put your time and effort into them dramatically increase. Traditionally, I prefer to play with a more experienced woman who’s been in the life for awhile.”

“Because they know the rules?” Sutton asked.