Page 36 of Possess

Allyson started to stand, but Dani waved her back into her seat and grabbed a drink.

“Are you okay?” Allyson asked.

“Yes,” Dani answered, her voice scratchy. “You sure know how to surprise a person.”

“Sorry.” Allyson glanced away. Maybe this was a bad idea.

“Don’t be. A little warning would have been nice. What brought this on?”

Allyson shrugged. “I had dinner with Zeke the other night. There’s a connection between us, and we talked a little bit.”

“Ah, the beginning of the kink talk. Did you tell him about the parties in Seattle?”

“I did, and he told me there was so much more to kink than sex.”

Dani grinned. “There is. I’m so glad you’re listening to him.”

“I’m trying, but I’m still unsure.”

“Tell me more.”

Allyson’s tummy did a backflip. “As I said, we went out to dinner again Wednesday night, and Zeke was attentive, but also protective. We talked a little about kink. He told me he was a Dominant and that I was a submissive. When I questioned him on that, he said I was submissive in the bedroom.” She paused and glanced around. “He also told me he belonged to Wicked Sanctuary.”

“Goodness.” Dani sat back in her chair. “What has you unsure?”

“I’ve never considered myself submissive. Yes, I like a man to take charge but only in certain situations.”

“I get it.” Dani leaned forward. “Being submissive is intensely personal.”

“Am I being intrusive?”

“No, we’ve never talked about it in detail. You liked the private parties, but I didn’t.”

“Yet you go to Wicked Sanctuary.”

“I do.” Dani rubbed her nose. “How can I explain?”

“You own your own business. I’ve never seen you as submissive, even though you’ve told me you are. Is it only in the club?”

“Yes and no. What Zeke said about a bedroom submissive is pretty close to what I am. I found I enjoy letting a man have control in the bedroom, but only the bedroom.”

“Okay.” Allyson listened to Dani’s words carefully trying to understand.

“When I experimented in college, there were certain aspects to the lifestyle that appealed to me.”

“Like what?”

“For me, it’s about being able to let go at the end of the week. At Wicked Sanctuary, I can find a Dom who understands what I need. He allows me to let go of my job, my worries, everything as we play.”

“I’ve never had that.” Allyson had to admit that sounded blissful. “But does that mean you have no control at all?”

“I control everything.” Dani smiled. “It’s one of the things that people not in the lifestyle don’t understand. I can say no to anyone or to anything anytime I want. I decide to whom and how much control I want to give up to my Dom.”

“You negotiate? Don’t you mean, the Dom negotiates?” At the parties, she rarely saw a sub negotiate, usually the Dom did all the talking, not the sub. That was why she’d picked Doms who were more interested in sex when she needed it. Or those who knew her limits and respected them.

“We both negotiate. It’s a give and take, but there are rules in the club that are to be followed. And trust me, if they’re not, there are consequences.”

“I think I’m confused.” She rubbed her forehead. “I’ve never encountered what you’re describing.”

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