Page 33 of Dark Angel

“Why not?” His tone is more curious than judgmental, but it still stings.

“Because we learned at Bible school that it’s a sin. My mother was very clear that she’d break a broom over my back if she ever caught me doing it and made sure we wore underwear and pajama pants to bed and it’s just wrong.” I force myself to meet Jaden’s gaze as something compels me to choke out the answer.

'That will definitely have to change. Starting now.' Jaden says this with a finality that warns of all kinds of consequences if I don’t obey. Dirty thoughts that I keep hidden from the entire world, including myself, start to surface. Jaden’s giving me that non-blinking look of his, waiting for me to comply. For some reason, I know on an instinctual level exactly what he wants without him speaking a word, and I stare right back at him, trying to think of an excellent one-liner I can return.

Our stare-downs are becoming a staple in this non-relationship of ours. Then, just as the tension hits its peak, he cracks a grin. Damn him. He stands, offering his hand. ”Time to go.” He marches off muttering about religious people, and I obediently follow."

I try to play it cool as Jaden charms his way through the crowd, but I'm barely aware of our surroundings. The viewing room he leads us into is a study in seductive elegance—dim lighting casts an eerie glow, highlighting the deep burgundy walls and contrasting with the stark black drapes of both the viewing room and playroom. A large, clear window offers an unobstructed view of the scene unfolding before us. A polished mahogany St. Andrew's Cross dominates the far wall, accompanied by a spanking horse and strapping bench—all reminders of the power dynamics at play here.

I'm a bundle of nerves and excitement, my heart racing as I watch the flogging scene, grateful for the glass that separates us. My outfit, a silky number that clings to every curve, heightens my awareness of every movement. I've always been curious about sex, devouring every book and article I could find, but they never captured the raw, visceral reality of it. I’d never admit it out loud, but being able to watch without being part of the action is like a fantasy come to life.

Feeling awkward as hell, I stand near the one-way glass separating the viewing room from the playroom, I feel a magnetic pull drawing me to the intense scene unfolding. It's terrifying, yet thrilling, and I sense my heart racing to keep up with the pace. I stand in the dimly lit viewing room, my gaze fixated on the scene unfolding before me. I’m watching a woman tied to a St. Andrew's cross, her body arched and exposed, while a man holding a flogger stands just a few feet away from her.

"Are you ready?" he asks, his voice low and commanding.

"Y-yes," the woman stammers, her breaths shallow and uneven.

"Good," he says, drawing back the flogger and swinging it forward with expert precision. The sound of leather connecting with flesh echoes through the room, followed by a sharp intake of breath from the woman.

"Did that hurt?" he inquires, his tone almost teasing.

"Y-yes.” Her voice quivers. Then why the hell are you staying?

"Good," he says again, and I can't help but feel a shiver run down my spine at his response.

My mind races, wondering what it would be like to be in her place, feeling the sting of the flogger on my own skin. I've never considered myself one for pain, in fact I hate it, but something about the raw vulnerability and intensity of the moment has me captivated.

Miss me with that bullshit. I try to push away the intrusive thoughts. But I can't deny the growing heat pooling between my legs, a sensation that both excites and unnerves me. It's a side of myself I've never felt, and I'm not sure if I'm ready to embrace it.

Jaden moves beside me, his presence stirring up a whirlwind of emotions within me. "Hi," I whisper, keeping my eyes trained on the playroom. Despite my fear and doubt, I can’t help but be drawn to him. Do I really want this? Hell yes! Yells that naughty voice coming from my core.

"'Hi,' he responds, his voice smooth and confident. 'There's no need to whisper. The room is soundproof. They can't hear us.'

We watch the scene play out, our shared silence amplifying the tension between us.

“Submission is all about receiving direction,” Jaden murmurs, moving closer to me, and I have to remind myself to breathe. 'Subs crave guidance and want to know the Dom's expectations, especially during sex play.'"

“Is it just during sex?" I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.

"Depends on the Sub and Dom, and whether it's about psychological control or just play. There are Doms who want to take control of their Submissive's life, but many prefer the lifestyle of sex play. If it's purely for sex play, they're usually Tops or Bottoms."

I’m about to tell him I wouldn’t like any man telling me what to do in the bedroom or anywhere else when I realize I have no fucking idea what I’d like in the bedroom because I’d never had a chance to find out.

As we continue watching the flogging scene, my curiosity grows stronger. It's intriguing and horrifying all at once, and I can't tear my eyes away. I feel Jaden's heated gaze on me, his desire clear through our bond.

"Chatty, isn't he?" I try to mask my nerves with sarcasm. But deep down, I'm searching for answers—permission to explore this unknown world further.

“Nothing turns me off faster than a woman who decides she's auditioning for a role in a porn movie while you fuck her,” Jaden’s voice is low and seductive. "You are not like other women."

His words wrap around me like velvet, sending shivers down my spine. The tension in the air thickens, crackling with unspoken promises and suppressed desires. Despite every bit of rational thought telling me I should run, I’m drawn to him like a moth to a flame.

He inches forward, closing the gap between us, and I force myself to keep my cool. No way I'm letting him see me sweat. It's like a high-stakes game, and I'm not about to show my hand first. The room's dim light can't mask the whirlwind of emotions crashing inside me. I try to chill out as Jaden edges closer, his warmth reaching me like an invisible force. His breath tickles my neck, bringing back a flood of thoughts and wild daydreams I've kept locked up tight. But he doesn't say anything.

We're just standing there, caught in this crazy, intense bubble, everything else fading out. It's like the whole world's boiled down to just him and me. I'm shaking inside, all tangled up in this crazy mix of nerves and excitement. This whole thing's like walking a tightrope, and I'm balancing really careful not to fall off.

We stand there, lost in a moment where the world blurs into nothingness. The sexual tension wraps around us, thick and tangible, making my heart race and my body tremble with a heady mix of fear and excitement. It's a dance on a knife’s edge, and I'm teetering dangerously close to the blade.

As we watch, I can't help but be drawn into the world unfolding before us. It's like I'm peeking through a keyhole into a realm where all the rules I've ever known about love and desire are turned upside down. I've always felt like I was on the outside looking in, but in this place, where people chase their deepest passions without fear, I could fit in.