“I’m sorry about your childhood,” he said softly. “That doesn’t sound very fun.”
“You were mister popular, right?”
“I was the prince. I had all the friends a guy could ever want, and at the same time…none. No one would share anything too personal for fear that my father might try to get it out of me. I was set apart because of my position.”
“That doesn’t sound any better than my situation.”
“Only I didn’t start off the story in one way, then take a left turn into Slit-My-Wrist-Ville.”
“Oh my—” I slapped him, laughing.
He laughed with me, pulling me into a hug. “Okay, are you ready? It’s time for your visit to the salon.”
“You’re not going to choke me with your dick?”
“I don’t know, honestly. But not at first. Not until I lose control, at any rate. I’ll make sure you get plenty of pleasure, so you don’t end up like your ex-friend and get nothing for all your hard work.”
“I wish I never told you that story.” I laughed. “You are the worst!”
“I have my moments. Okay, turn— Damn it, I forgot the blindfold. Hang on.” He stepped back. “Actually, close your eyes.”
I did as instructed, nervousness coiling through me.
“Don’t be nervous,” he murmured. His hands curled around my upper arms. “Open your eyes.”
Confused, I did as he asked.
His face was the picture of seriousness. “You will be at my mercy in a moment, Finley. If at any time tonight you are uncomfortable, say something. If you want me to push your boundaries, I will, but we’ll need to establish a signal so I’ll know if I’ve gone too far.”
“Banana hammock.”
He tilted his head. “What?”
“I’ll say ‘banana hammock’ if you’ve gone too far.”
His eyebrows lifted. “Right. Odd choice, but sure, fine. Please know that I will always keep your best interests at heart, and only hurt you if you want me to.”
I swallowed. “Okay. Don’t spank me. Or flog me. No hot candle wax. I will not call you Daddy. If you’re going to tie me to the ceiling and floor, fine, but stick to tickling and not something painful.”
His eyebrows dipped low. “Looks like you got an eyeful when you were sneaking out the other night, huh? Ms. Smith told me you got to see her purple dildo in action.”
“Yeah. That I was surprisingly fine with. I might want to pop you in the ass with one someday.”
“Oh, lucky me…” he said dryly, and I laughed.
“But the stuff with Leala and that demon was a bit much for me.”
“What a fucking life, huh?” He stroked his fingers across my cheek, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. “Do you trust me, Finley? Please answer honestly. I need to plan accordingly for what comes next.”
“Yes,” I whispered.
“Okay. Stay here, close your eyes, and no peeking. I want to get the blindfold.”
He came back a moment later, his scent putting me at ease. A slip of material pressed against my eyes, and I waited as it tightened. His arms came around my back and legs, and he lifted me, carrying me past that curtain and presumably into a room where something sensual that would require a modicum of trust was bound to happen.
“Don’t be nervous,” he whispered, setting me down gently.
I gave him what was probably a crooked smile as I tried to ignore the butterflies floating around my stomach and ribcage.
His hands touched down on my outer thighs, right below my slip. He slid them upward, lifting the silky fabric as he did. Up and over my hips, my waist, on up until he was lifting my arms with the fabric seemingly pooled at his wrists. Then it was gone.
“No panties,” he groaned, and my smile brightened. I liked torturing him. “I’m not sure I’m as good as your tragic ex-friend, but I’m going to try my best.”
His lips barely touched down on mine, light and teasing. Fabric whispered and air caressed my skin. Was he taking off his clothes?
“How was that?” he asked, his tone subdued as he took my hands.
“I think you should kiss the way you always kiss and leave the more erotic kissing to the ladies.”
He laughed, deep and delighted, and my heart fluttered. “Note taken. Okay, I’m going to help you get into here…”
He pulled my hands gently to get me to walk forward.
“Step up,” he said as my toe bumped into a barrier.
I did, and then again, and again, climbing steps.
“Okay, stay there,” he commanded softly, power infusing his words. He held my hand, lifting it a little as he moved. Water sloshed, the sound like two feet stepping into a basin. It sloshed a little more, and then he was leaning into me, his tongue flicking across a nipple. “Here we go.”
His hands pressed firmly on my ribs, and he lifted me into the air and then lowered me, sliding my front down his. His hard cock skimmed my right inner thigh until it caught at my apex, but he didn’t allow me to stop and play. My body pushed it down between us until my feet hit warm water. It traveled up to my mid-thighs before my soles touched a warm metallic surface.