More than a Dare (Masters Club 4)

“I trust you,” Dahlia asserted. “It’s me I’m uncertain of,” she added with a sheepish laugh.

“That’s okay,” he said, his tone reassuring. “That’s my job. Which brings me to the topic of safewords.”

“I already have my safeword, remember? Rosebud.”

“Yes. I do remember, and you always have that to make all action instantly cease. I wanted to add that you need a safe signal in the event you’re gagged or otherwise unable to speak. At the club, we use the universal signal of two fingers raised in a V.” He demonstrated. “We’ll use that this weekend.”

“Okay,” Dahlia agreed, a shiver of nervous excitement moving through her.

“Since you’re still learning your own limits, I’ll also allow you to use a ‘slow down’ phrase. That’s a way for you to indicate you need the intensity to ease off, but you’re not ready to end the scene. We’ll use ‘yellow light’ or just ‘yellow.’ Again, no permission to speak required in that situation. I would caution you, however, not to use it lightly. Just because you might be a little nervous, that doesn’t mean you get to dictate the pace.”

“Okay,” she agreed, liking the idea of an intermediate option along the way to a total scene stopper. “Yellow light works.”

“Great. Now, let’s figure out your hard limits. First, I’m pretty sure we agree bestiality, spitting and scat play are off the table.”

“We most certainly do,” Dahlia replied emphatically. “Yuck.”

Hayden chuckled. “Other examples of hard limits might include choking out, electro play, fisting, needles, suspension bondage, face slapping, fire play and blood play. You might have your own additional hard limits, ones you haven’t even thought of yet.”

“Gosh,” Dahlia said, feeling a little overwhelmed. “Have you actually done all that stuff? I mean, not counting the ones that are off the table.”

Hayden smiled. “Everything except the fisting and choking out. I have nothing against fisting per se, as long as it’s done very carefully. It’s just not my personal cup of tea. I do enjoy breath play. Choking out is something else again. As a physician, I don’t think it’s a good idea to play asphyxiation games. They can be quite dangerous.”

Dahlia nodded emphatically. “Agreed. You don’t want to have to do CPR on me because I’ve had a heart attack.”

Hayden laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ve never lost a sub yet.” He sobered. “Seriously, though, I do plan to explore many, if not most, of those options with you eventually. But for this weekend, we’ll stick to the basics. There are plenty less intimidating options to explore to help you realize your submissive potential.”

Reaching for her, he gripped her lightly by the throat. He spread his hand, his forefinger and thumb pressing just under her jaw. Dahlia shivered with erotic fear coupled with dark pleasure. Whenever he put his hand on her throat like that, the rest of the world fell away, her focus exclusively and entirely on him.

She forgot to breathe as she stared into his eyes. When he spoke, his voice was low, sexy and commanding. “Starting now, I control your every move. You are my property—to use, to whip, to cage, to fuck, to control, to adore.”

He tightened his grip on her throat as he drew her deeper under his spell. “You will surrender your will, your body, your very soul to me.”

Dahlia’s mouth had gone dry, and her heart clutched almost painfully in her chest. She couldn’t quite seem to catch her breath. Her panties were soaked at the crotch and her nipples throbbed.

Hayden let go of her throat. He caressed her cheek as he ran his tongue seductively over his full upper lip. “So, how about it, Dahlia? Are you ready for the challenge of your life?”

Chapter 18

Dahlia said nothing at first. Hayden didn’t allow himself to dwell on the possibility she might still refuse. He wanted it too much.

“Yes,” she finally whispered.

Hayden kept his expression calm though his heart leaped in his chest. “Yes, Sir,” he corrected.

“Yes, Sir,” she repeated.

Getting to his feet, he held out his hand. Dahlia took it, allowing him to pull her upright. They walked in silence to the bedroom.

Hayden sat on the bed. When Dahlia started to sit beside him, he held up his hand. “I didn’t tell you to sit. From this moment forward, you do exactly as I say, nothing more. Make no assumptions. If you aren’t sure about something, first ask for permission to speak. If that is granted, then you may ask your question.”

Dahlia frowned, wrapping her arms around her torso.

“Hands at your sides,” Hayden directed.

Dahlia obeyed. She was wearing a red silk blouse over dark gray dress slacks, her hair pulled back.

“Take down your hair.”

Reaching back, Dahlia pulled the elastic free from her ponytail. Hayden held out his hand, and she dropped it onto his palm. He slipped it onto his wrist.