Page 101 of Breaking Free

“Just a little magic to cap off a highly successful and well-received partial-suspension demonstration.”

She thought she heard him chuckle, but she wouldn’t put money on it. Odds were she’d lose. Besides, she was breathing too hard to hear clearly and was likely mistaken.

With great care, he released her, massaging her muscles and passively flexing her joints when she didn’t have the strength to.

There were a few stragglers at the ropes, the rest having moved on when the show was over. One was Master Eric, whohad Val at his side, both with approving looks on their faces. Then, arm in arm, they walked away.

Piper was still reeling from Tristan’s ropes, the scene, and unexpected back-to-back-to-back orgasms to understand the significance. She wasn’t too far gone to know that she was in trouble, however. Even with an audience, his hypnotic voice, his touch, his commanding confidence, and the intimacy of his ropes stirred something deep within her she couldn’t ignore. And she didn’t mean three phenomenal orgasms. But in her life, she’d never had a two-fer. Now this!

Despite his warning not to lose her heart to him, she’d gone and done it. Every time they were together, with each kiss and each scene, and yes, when they teased or sparred or fought outright, when he took care of her, in so many ways, she couldn’t help but fall deeper under his spell. Her new mission as of that moment was to help him break free of what was keeping him from admitting he felt the same way—completely and utterly enamored. He must. She saw it in his eyes, the hint of a smile, and felt it in the tenderness of his touch. Now, if she could only get him to acknowledge it.

TRISTAN FLIPPED THEsign from Clean to Needs Cleaning and left the station with Piper in his arms. He couldn’t remember when he’d ever enjoyed a demonstration more, and he’d done plenty. Piper was the perfect height for him, and her sweet curves enhanced his ropes. She’d taken to every pose and tie and responded to every command. And once the happy hormones were flowing, she’d gotten giddy and cute, and almost made him laugh—which was unheard of. As he’d told her, in a word, she was perfect.

She was also a cuddly warm armful wrapped in a blanket, seated in his lap in a quiet corner on an aftercare couch, sippingwater. He’d almost burst into laughter again when, while he massaged the lines left by the ropes, she suddenly exclaimed, “Where has aftercare been all my life? It’s awesome.”

Flying as high as she was, she was ripe for a drop. He reached into the well-stocked cooler beside the couch and grabbed a Hershey bar. Breaking off a square, he held it to her lips. “Eat this and finish your water.”

When it hit her tongue, she smiled. “Chocolate. Awesome. See what I mean?”

“All subs deserve a little pampering after what their demented doms put them through.”

Suddenly, her smile vanished, and she looked pensive. “Do you think that’s true?”

“Most good doms do, and I’m a good dom.”

“Not the pampering part. Do you think I’m submissive?”

“After that scene, why would you think you’re not?”

“I created a different type of scene in the lounge the last time I was here and forced you to come after me. That’s not very submissive.”

“Submissive doesn’t mean you take crap when it’s handed to you.”

“But I’m a wimp when it comes to pain. I don’t think I could take much more than the flogging you gave me the last time.”

“BDSM isn’t only about pain. I know a lot of rope bottoms who aren’t into more pain than the ropes provide. We’re all wired differently.”

She took a sip of her water and settled back in his arms, but only for a moment. “Is there such a thing as a pleasure sub? I could get into that. I came like bang, bang, bang with that wand!” Her cheeks flooded with color—a lovely shade of pink. “Did I really just say that? What’s wrong with me? I’m rambling when I don’t usually.”

“You’re rope drunk.”

“You mentioned that. Is that like subspace?”

“Pretty much. Everyone reacts to it differently. It may get more intense with subsequent sessions when you learn to let go. How do you feel?”

“Like I had another sangria, but I’m sober. It’s hard to explain.”

“Try.”

“Being tied was so calming. I let my mind go blank, and the world faded away. There was only you and me, and a flood of sensation. And the longer it went on, the more sensitive I got. I felt the roughness of the ropes and the pressure like when you tied my knee and I had to balance on one foot. But there was no pain, only a floaty, wonderful, hyperaware feeling. Does that even make sense?”

“Yes. It comes from a glut of those feel-good chemicals I told you about.”

“You feel them too, don’t you?”

He tried to maintain his neutral mask because her insight surprised him. “I do to a certain extent. Shibari is very centering for me. Although it rarely happens during a demo when my attention is split, there is such a thing as top space. With my total focus on the sub, everything else fades into the background for me, too. I also enjoy the creativity of new poses and ties. With the right partner, when there’s a connection and she has surrendered to the freedom of the ropes, it’s a thing of beauty.”

“Looking at it from the outside, I could admire its beauty, but it wasn’t until I experienced it that I truly understood.” She rested her hand on his bearded jaw. “I’m glad you have this in your life because I believe it’s the only time you’re truly free. In the weeks we’ve known each other, the only time I’ve seen you relax enough to smile is when you’re rigging. You didn’t quite get there with me tonight, but I’m not giving up on you.”

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