Page 18 of Fire & Ice

Was he always this thirsty over Tripp?Leander finds himself having to wonder, and the answer is a resounding,absolutely not. Of course, he’s been interested. He’s found Tripp impossibly attractive, even, but it appears that getting a taste of what actuallyhavingTripp is like has sent him tumbling over a cliff, the edge of which he didn’t even know that he was standing on.

Cracking his neck, Leander ensures that he appears outwardly composed before approaching Tripp and sliding his key into the lock, which he does without a word. They both know why they’re here, and—for many reasons—it’s best that Tripp has access to his collar as quickly as possible.

Boundaries,Leander emphasizes to himself, for the hundredth or so time since their debriefing discussion yesterday morning. Excessive, perhaps, but important to him all the same.

As the door shuts behind them, he finds out swiftly that he has no reason to worry. The lock has barely clicked into place before Tripp is extricating the thin strip of leather from its box, threading it around his neck as Leander bends to put his bag on the floor. Doing his best to appear nonchalant (and not as if he thinks he might explode waiting for Tripp to give him the green light), Leander stands quietly with his fingers laced together behind his back.

Once again, Tripp doesn’t disappoint, heading directly for the playroom after flashing Leander a cheeky wink that hegladly lets slide—just this once—because he reallyisthrilled with Tripp and the complete lack of prompting he’s needed.

As he watches him go, Leander has the distinct feeling that he may need to remind himself from time to time that Tripp isnotan experienced sub. He’s clearly something special—his demeanor, his attitude, and the easy way he slips into the role, the willingness to accept everything Leander asks of him—he could fool even the most experienced Dom. But that doesn’t mean that he knows his own limits, and Leander needs to maintain awareness of that.

He supposes they’ll find out, if those things carry over to some more intense scenes, and the mere suggestion of doing so has the hairs on his arm standing up wildly.

Remembering himself and his plan for the night, Leander clears his throat. Instantly, Tripp stops dead in his tracks. The swiftness of his response and the incredibly clear desire to please nearly result in Leander’s abandonment of the request on the tip of his tongue, and it would have—because he has very little restraint left in him tonight—but he does need a few minutes to prepare the room, so in the end, it’s easiest to follow through.

“Instead of heading to the playroom, you’re going to strip in the bathroom today. Leave your clothes in the hamper, then shower, clean up, and prepare yourself for me. There are enema kits underneath the sink, and lube in the top drawer of the vanity. In fact—wait one moment, please.”

Leander’s tone is clipped and efficient, and for the first time tonight, he sees Tripp falter a little, which is amusing. It’s good that he’s surprised and caught off-guard—scenes like thisshouldbe somewhat unpredictable for him, that’s what Tripp wants. As Leander moves past his sub, he drops a hand to Tripp’s lower back, allowing for a gentle caress, somethinggrounding between them. Opening the door to the playroom, he heads over to the closest armoire and pulls the top drawer open, removing a still-packaged item from inside and handing it over.

“Clear?”

Tripp is still standing in the doorway, obedient as ever. Leander doesn’t miss the flush that colors his cheeks when he accepts the brand-new plug, but to his credit, his posture straightens and he flashes a wide, cocky smile.

“Yes, Sir,” he answers confidently. “Anything else, Sir?”

“No,” Leander replies with a roll of his eyes and a mild swat of his hand to Tripp’s ass as he passes. “Don’t be a brat.”

The door to the bathroom closes and Leander waits until the shower turns on, just on the off-chance that Tripp might need something. Satisfied that he’ll have a few minutes alone, he moves about the playroom, meticulously setting up and fussing over details.

Even though Tripp doesn’t wish to discuss or debrief on the daily, Leander’s already decided that he’s not willing to compromise on being the kind of Dom who doesn’t blindside his sub with something—or a combination of things—that he may not be interested in. Kink worksheets are all well and good, but for the most part, all scene participants should have ageneralidea of what’s coming on any given day, otherwise, there’s no ability to ensure ongoing consent.

Perhaps that concept will evolve as they grow to learn and trust each other more fully within these new roles. After they find and press their own limits, both together and individually, and once Leander feels confident in reading Tripp’s non-verbal cues. For now, though, they’re building a foundation, and he’s determined to ensure that it’s solid.

As such, when Tripp finally exits the bathroom, naked, damp, and fresh, his skin pink and his hair wet but re-styled, Leander is waiting for him with a plan. He has Led Zeppelin playing again, knowing that the familiar chords will put his sub at ease, although it’s much quieter tonight than last time—truly background music. Already stripped down to his boxers, Leander meets Tripp halfway across the room and cups his cheek, briefly considering dragging him in for a kiss but deciding at the last second that it would be too intimate under these circumstances. Instead, he reaches around and uses his fingertips to search for the base of the plug, humming approvingly when they brush along its curve.

“Lovely,” he approves. “Thank you, Tripp.”

“You’re so welcome, Sir,” Tripp replies quickly, and Leander preens.

“Truly, such a good boy,” he murmurs, placing a hand on Tripp’s shoulder and pushing down lightly in suggestion. “Kneel.”

Once Tripp is on the ground, Leander steps away towards the bed, where numerous supplies have been laid out. “Tonight, my goal is for you to learn to trust me with your pleasure. You already know, of course, that I am in control of your body, but unless you earn a punishment or we agree in advance on complete denial, Ialsowant you to trust that I will always take care of you in the end. Do you believe me, Tripp?”

Raising his eyes from where they’ve been trained on the floor, Tripp nods. “Yes, Sir.”

“That’s good,” Leander says almost conversationally, nonchalant as he selects a slim vibrator, fresh out of its package, lifting it up from where it’s been sitting on the bed. Once he’ssure that Tripp’s eyes are tracking, he runs a loose fist over it, intentionally teasing.

“It’s good, because you won’t come tonight until you’re begging for it, until you’ve nearly given up on release. Your whole body will be screaming for deliverance, but only I get to decide when you’ve earned it. I’m going to tie you to this bed, blindfold you, tease you relentlessly, and fuck your mouth the way you wish I’d fuck your hole. Does that sound amenable?”

Biting back a smirk, Leander tips his head to the side and watches as Tripp’s mouth falls open slightly, his tongue darting out nervously to wet his lips before he sucks in a breath. “Y-yes, Sir,” he replies, fumbling over the words, which is very much the reaction Leander was hoping for. To his delight, Tripp remains kneeling with his hands behind his back, wide-eyed and unflinching as he awaits his next instructions.

Leander’s blood warms in his veins to see it, thinking about all the ways he can’t wait to positivelyruinthis man.

“Safeword, Tripp?”

“Halligan.”

“And are you using it?”

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