Page 69 of Breaking Free

Her eyes came back to him. “What kind of arrangement? Like neighbors with benefits?”

“A little more in-depth, I think. You mentioned the many rules and nuances of BDSM. Most people new to the lifestyle have a mentor or teacher of some sort. I could be that for you and also show you the ropes.”

“Pun intended?” she asked with a trace of a smile.

“I’ve been looking for a regular model for demonstrations. Having to switch up every few weeks, often starting from scratch, is getting old. We could help each other.”

“But I’ve never modeled, and I’m not very flexible. All I know about shibari is what I’ve seen at your demonstration.”

“Trust me, you’ll be perfect,” he assured her. “But we can have a trial run. Not tonight but soon.”

“I’m not exactly fluent on BDSM rules and regulations, either.”

“As your dom and rigger, I’ll teach you what you need to know about submission and being a rope bottom.”

Her brow furrowed as she considered his offer. “Can we define how you’d be my dom a little more?”

“Yes. Negotiation up front is important. I’m suggesting a power exchange at the club. Ropes, bondage, some beginners’ toys, and, if we’re feeling it, a flogger—for now.”

“Um... What about sex?”

“That would continue. Unless you’re rescinding thewith benefitspart of being neighborly.”

She shook her head. “No, no. That’s all good.”

“Glad to hear,” he said, stifling his amusement.

Piper in contemplative mode, especially biting her plump lower lip, was a sight that could tempt even the most virtuous of saints. He wanted to take her in his arms, kiss her, and demonstrate precisely what he intended. With her still uncertain, he dangled another carrot instead.

“Many practitioners find shibari calming. Some do it solely for relaxation. It might help take your mind off your stalker.”

Still, she hesitated.

“I’ll take excellent care of you, Piper. You believe that, don’t you?”

“I do,” she said without skipping a beat. Suddenly, she nodded. “If it helps me forget I have a creep stalking me, even for a few minutes, count me in.”

He bent until they were nose to nose, close enough for him to kiss her, but he stopped there, or he’d never get to work. “We’re going to find him and put an end to this. In the meantime, I’ll see you at seven.”

“See you then, teacher.” Teasingly, she smiled up at him and suggested, “Or do I call you mentor? Or maybe sensei?”

“At Decadence, you call me sir or Master Tristan. Here, I’m just Tristan. The same as before.”

“Okay, Tristan. And thank you,” she said, big blue eyes wide and teasing aside. “I wasn’t looking forward to walking in there alone.”

Her innate sweetness and vulnerability got him every time. Although he wanted to carry her back inside and take her on the counter again—against the wall, on the floor, or in her bed would do too—he had to get to work. He settled for a quick kiss and was down the steps.

“Don’t forget to reset the alarm,” he called over his shoulder.

“When you find him, can I get rid of this alarm? It’s a royal pain in the patootie.”

Stopping at the bottom, he looked back up at her—delightfully flushed and mussed from sex. “You’re not in Iowa anymore, remember?”

“How could I forget?” she said with a sigh.

He waited until she closed the door. Through it, he could hear her complaining as she wrangled with her system. A faint beep followed then silence.

Walking the few feet to his front steps, he climbed them quickly, ignoring the uncomfortable tent pole in the front of his boxers. A stiff cock was a perpetual state around Piper.

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