Page 63 of Worth the Risk

“If you’ll excuse us. For all her giggling, this little one needs aftercare.” He glanced at Dan. “I’m happy for you my friend. Finally.”

Looking on as the couple walked away, they watched as Eric lifted Val onto the table, wrapped a blanket around her, and offered her a bottle of water. They were very sweet together, touching and kissing and whispering to each other. Bella had an intense longing to have what they had, long-term, with Dan.

“What did he mean, finally?”

“In the spirit of being open and honest, I was interested in a few subs who I thought might suit me but was too slow expressing my interest. Twice, an owner snatched them up before it went anywhere.”

“Is that why you asked me out while still dripping in frozen cocktail?”

“Absolutely. I wasn’t about to take any chances with you.”

She laid her hand against his slightly scruffy cheek. “That’s very sweet.”

He chuckled. “Beautiful, you’re going to be stuck with me because when that gets around, it will shatter my badass sadist rep, and no one else will have me.”

“Good,” she said smartly. “I’ll be sure to tell every sub I meet that Master Dan is so gentle and sweet, he gives me a toothache.”

He pulled her against his chest and kissed her soundly. “I’m doing damage control the rest of the evening. What do you say? Public this time?”

She bit her kiss-swollen bottom lip, unsure.

Dan took note. “It’s your choice, baby. I told you we’re taking this slow. There’s no need at all to rush.”

“See...” she whispered, gazing up at him. “Pure sugar.”

“Bella...I’m serious. It’s your call. What’ll it be?”

“Public.”

“You’re certain you’re up to it?”

“I trust you to take care of me, sir.”

She saw a flash of silver in his eyes as he lowered his mouth to hers, claiming it slow and soft. “Of anything I’ve taught you, baby, I’m glad that lesson took.”

He kissed her again. When he lifted his head, he was grinning. “I know the perfect station. Come with me.”

He moved out, tugging her along behind him. Bella noticed Eric and Val looking on. Her with a tear in her eye and a huge grin on her face, and Eric, a small smile on his lips, shaking his head as if resigned to the fact another of his brethren had fallen.

As they made their way to the back of the enormous play space, Dan stopped in front of an eight-foot cross where another naked submissive was bound hand and foot while his domme lashed him from knee to shoulder with a bright-blue flogger.

Bella’s eyes widened as the tips of the lash struck his thighs and lower belly then landed with a solidthwackin between. The man groaned, his back arching off the wooden X as he shuddered hard in his restraints.

“Wow,” she breathed. “That looks intense.”

“It can be,” he said. “Are you ready to give it a try?”

Bella hesitated, feeling a sense of fear and excitement all at once. “Yes,” she said finally. “I think so.”

Grinning, he led her down the circuit to another cross, this one freestanding, the ropes around it forming a full circle. She would be visible to the crowd from every angle.

He assisted her onto the low platform.

“This will have to go,” he murmured, giving the tie on her robe a tug. He pushed it off her shoulders, leaving her in the minuscule lace teddy.

“Tell me your safewords, Bella,” he ordered, while securing her wrists and ankles to the mounted restraints.

“Red means stop, and yellow means slow down, I need a break, or to talk something over.”

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