Page 28 of The Dom with the Clever Tongue

“What would you do?” Scarlet asked.

“Probably spank her then make her kneel at my feet. If she didn’t have a good apology ready, she’d get the clothespin.”

“Clothespin?” Reece asked. “Where? We’ve tried those and I don’t like them.”

“Go get one.” Scarlet growled.

Miraculously, Reece shot to her feet and moved down the hall without a word.

She was back again before they said anything more. When she tried to hand the clothespin to Malachi, he shook his head and pointed at the floor in front of Scarlet. “Give it to your Domme, kitten.”

“She’s not...” Her words trailed off as she took in Malachi’s expression then sighed and knelt at Scarlet’s feet.

Scarlet grabbed Reece’s chin and tipped her face up until their eyes met. The girl shrank back but didn’t pull away from Scarlet’s grasp.

After a few moments, Reece averted her gaze. “You look mean.”

“You insulted our guest, even if it’s true that he’s a cocky bastard.” Scarlet chuckled, basking in the feeling of having Reece in this position.

“What do you want me to do? Apologize?”

“You’re going to kneel here, hold that clothespin, and think about what I might do with it.” She grabbed a couch pillow and threw it on the floor beside Reece. “Kneel on that. Right now I’m going to talk to the nice man about what you were sneaking around to talk to him about. Doms don’t keep secrets for other Dommes’ subs, right Mal?”

He smiled blandly. “It’s bad form. Besides, nothing she said was really a secret, per se, other than her wanting to surprise you for your birthday.”

“With you?” She gave him a derisive smirk. “I don’t like men that way.” Liar, liar – at least where this man was concerned. But Reece didn’t know that.

“She thought you’d have fun with me topping you. Just to see what it’s really like. She’s also worried that if you never try playing with someone that can tap into your masochistic side, that you’ll always secretly wonder what it’s like and never be content with her.”

Talk about laying the cards on the table.

Scarlet stood then looked down at Reece. She seemed so tiny and soft there. Reece stared at her own knees as though there was something fascinating there. Part of Scarlet wanted to shake Reece for being so unsure about her hold on her. Another part wanted to hug her and never let her go.

Then again, it was exactly how Scarlet felt about Reece. She absolutely adored her but feared that Reece would never be completely happy giving up men.

And here was the man that could either answer all of their questions, or completely destroy their relationship. Yet they had welcomed him into their home – this incubus in their sitting room.

After staring at her girl for long enough to make her squirm uncomfortably, she took pity on her. They had to deal with this little insecurity issue. She knelt down in front of Reece so they were eye-level. She wanted her to see the honesty in her eyes when she told her this. “There is no kink issue big enough to make me give you up, Reece. Nothing. You don’t ever need to worry about that. And while I appreciate your effort in giving me a memorable birthday, receiving pain isn’tsomething Ineed. Especially not as much as I need you. Do you understand?”

Reece looked half a second from bursting into tears. “Yes. And I’m sorry if this is making things awkward. I just thought you’d...maybe like it and...” She trailed off and stared at her hands on her lap.

“Come here.” Scarlet wrapped her arms around her girl for a tight hug. She kissed her head and neck.

“Maybe you should give it a try,” Malachi said. “I’m already here. Unless you’re scared.”

She released Reece, “Kneel, pet.” Then she shifted to face him. “I’m not afraid of you, Malachi.” Had she already said that? She hoped not. If she was repeating herself it would be a sign of weakness, and he’d know that she was lying. She thought it had come out pretty convincing.

He stood too, coming closer. Looming – that was the word. He loomed well for a man who wasn’t insanely tall.

“After you play with me, you might be more afraid of me than you’d care to admit.” He winked. “Has anyone other than Reece topped you before?”

“No. I didn’t know I was kinky until a few months ago.”

His mouth quirked. “No history of hurting yourself for the fun of it? Not even as a child?”

“Do I need a safeword?” she asked, deliberately ignoring his question. Her childhood weirdness was none of his damned business. Yes, she’d hurt herself on purpose as a child, but she’d never thought it meant anything other than that she had an odd idea of fun.

“Of course. Pick one.” His face was impassive, but his body was coiled tight – muscles flexing and giving away his tension and...possibly excitement?

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