Page 31 of Possess

Allyson swallowed and glanced around. No one near them. “I was active in the Seattle private party scene.”

He whistled softly. “Private parties? For how long?”

“Several years.” The parties helped her keep herself centered, and after some of the guys she’d dated, she needed an outlet.

“Why Seattle?” There was concern in his voice.

“You’re worried. Why?”

“I’ve seen some of the Seattle scene; it’s not exactly the best for a woman by herself.”

“I can’t argue with that.” She couldn’t. There had been times when she walked out of a party because she felt unsafe.

“Then I’ll ask again: Why Seattle?”

Allyson glanced away from the concern in his eyes. How did she explain this? “I told you I wasn’t into relationships.”

“Due to the exes, yes.”

“Well, in Seattle, the odds of running into someone from Pleasant Valley are slim, especially at the private play parties.”

“What kind of play were you involved with?”

“Light bondage and…” She glanced away from Zeke. Why was this so hard for her? She’d talked to plenty of men at these parties about her preferences, and while a lot of the men weren’t a fit for her, there were a few. She blew out a breath and glanced at Zeke. He was sitting patiently, waiting for her to answer. “Sometimes sex was involved.” Her voice was soft.

“I see.” Those brown eyes regarded her, not with anger or disdain, but with curiosity. “Let me ask you this question: How would you feel about kink without sex?”

She tilted her head. “It’s fine. I didn’t have sex with most of the men I played with at the parties.” No, she’d been selective, about who she played with and who she had sex with. Sharing her body was a choice she didn’t make lightly.

“For me, kink doesn’t have to end in sex. Being in the lifestyle is about freedom you might not feel other places. About being able to let go of your inhibitions without worry or fear. To allow yourself to be you.”

“I’ve never thought about it like that.” She’d always kept a part of her tucked away when she played in Seattle. Another reason she left that behind her. She was becoming way too jaded, and she was too young for that. Allyson almost laughed out loud. Some thought thirty was old.

“Private play parties can have a much different vibe than a club like Wicked Sanctuary. It’s one of the reasons I joined. I wanted more than sex or a hook up. I wanted to be able to relax and be myself.”

“I can’t see you any other way.” It was the truth. Based on past experience—even as limited as it was—Zeke was the most patient Dom she’d ever met.

“You’d be surprised.” He lightly stroked the hair at her nape.

A tremor went through her at his touch. “So are you saying no sex at the club?”

“Right. There are rules in place, and one of them is no sex in the club. That’s not to say you won’t experience the most amazing climaxes of your life under my hands.”

Fire swept through her veins at his words. “I’m willing to try.” She took a breath to steady herself. She wanted to explore with Zeke and discover his wants and needs in addition to her own.

“Outside of the private parties, have you done anything else? Read any books on the lifestyle?”

“I’ve read romance novels about the lifestyle.” She looked down at the table as the waiter appeared with their drinks and to-go boxes. He set a teak box with a tea selection in front of her and left.

Allyson dug through the box and pulled out Darjeeling. This shouldn’t keep her up all night, even if it was black tea. No, if she was sleepless tonight, it would be because of the man sitting next to her.

“Romance books are not bad places to get some information as long as it’s done right.”

“How would I know right from wrong in the books?” She was curious.

“Have you ever read a book and thought that it didn’t seem realistic? Or maybe you wanted to bash the hero over the head because he was being an overbearing jerk? Maybe at a private party, you worried about a Dom who was being too rough?”

“Yes, there have been a few.” Especially at the parties. It was part of the reason she stopped going. No, that wasn’t completely true. She’d been questioning her actions for a while; the raid sealed it.

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