This reminder calmed her. She could do this. She could totally do this. “Okay. Tell me more.”
“First off, it’s important that you enter into the proper submissive headspace for this experiment. As such, for the duration of the weekend, you will address me as either Sir or Master Hayden.”
She could manage Sir. She even kind of liked it. It added authenticity to the experience. But she couldn’t imagine calling him Master Hayden. She’d end up giggling and rolling her eyes. It was just too weird.
“Yes, Sir,” she replied.
He nodded. “Next, you will not speak unless asked a direct question, or if I give you specific permission. That means if you have something you want to say, you ask first for permission to speak. I may or may not grant that permission, at my discretion. The only exception, of course, is if you need to use your safeword. No permission needed for that. You good so far?”
Dahlia pursed her lips as she considered. An entire weekend of not speaking would be strange. But she understood he was creating a vibe—an atmosphere. What the heck—if she was going to do this, she’d go all in. “Yeah, okay.” She smirked, adding, “Sir.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “This isn’t a game, Dahlia. Not for me.”
Chastened, she replied, “Sorry. I think I’m just nervous. Sir.”
“I understand. Once you’re able to truly let go, those newbie nerves will vanish. It’s a matter of trust. Of faith in your Dom and yourself.”
She nodded, hoping he was right, and wondering if she’d ever get there.
“Good girl.” His smile was kind, though his eyes glittered with power. “To keep things simple, while we hash out the framework you don’t need to ask for permission to speak. I do, however, insist that you’re honest in your responses. For this to work, we need to be crystal clear about our expectations.”
“Okay. I promise,” she agreed.
“Good. As your Master, I will take full control of all aspects of your experience. I will decide when you eat, sleep, speak, use the bathroom, bathe or have an orgasm. I will introduce you to bondage, more intensive impact play than we’ve enjoyed to date, and some basic slave positions and protocol. I will press your submissive, masochistic and erotic desires to their very limits—limits you’ve never had the chance to fully explore.”
Dahlia’s pulse quickened.
“What is it?” Hayden prompted. “Now is your chance to speak up.”
“Okay, then. Full disclosure—I’m afraid I’ll fuck things up. That I won’t be up to the challenge.”
“It’s up to me to make sure that you are. Remember, I don’t expect perfection. Not by a long shot. All I expect is that you obey, communicate and remain open to the experience. That’s why we’re having this conversation now. We’re entering a higher level of intensity, so I want to make sure I have a good handle on your hard and soft limits.”
“I’m familiar with hard limits,” Dahlia said, his words calming her. “Those are nonnegotiable. Off the table, period. Right?”
“Right,” Hayden agreed. “Though I should mention that things you once thought of as hard limits might become soft limits at some point, and even, eventually, something you come to crave.”
“Maybe,” Dahlia replied dubiously. Though she had to admit, it made a certain kind of sense. After all, look how far she’d come in just a few short weeks. “So what exactly are soft limits?”
“Specifically, soft limits are things the sub may be interested in, but is hesitant about exploring. That might include things like anal play, intensive bondage, being caged in a confined space, nipple clamps, hot wax play, breath play, sensory deprivation, gags, blindfolds, impact play like a single tail whip or a cane—things that leave marks, but not permanent ones. I believe you could handle all of those things, once we work you up to it.”
“Well, that’s quite a list,” Dahlia said, feeling somewhat breathless. “Regarding anal play, I’ve experienced anal sex a time or two, but it’s not really something I enjoy.”
Hayden nodded. “Even if you don’t enjoy the act per se, you can come to enjoy the submissive aspect of it, in time. And anal play encompasses more than just penile penetration. There are butt plugs, of course, and other things.”
Dahlia flashed back to when he’d made her spread her own ass cheeks, exposing herself to both his scrutiny and his tongue. While it had been deeply, intensely embarrassing for her, it had also been thrilling in a dark, sexy way she couldn’t deny.
“Leaving the topic of anal play for now, what about the other things I mentioned? Any triggers there I need to know about?”
“Gosh, I don’t know for sure. It all sounds pretty sexy, except maybe the nipple clamps and the whip and cane. I’m not sure I could handle that degree of pain, erotic or otherwise.”
“Are you willing to find out? And before you answer, know that I don’t expect you to be an expert right out of the gate. Nor would I just march in and start whipping you without first getting you into the proper headspace. We would build up to these things together. We won’t have the time, or the energy”—he chuckled— “to cover the whole list this weekend, unless the blizzard keeps us housebound for longer than a few days.”