Page 55 of Possess

“No.” He gestured for her to sit down and sat next to her. “I’m serious here. Nothing will happen that you don’t want to happen.” Zeke ran a finger over her cheek, and her nerves tingled with anticipation. “Safe word time. Choose a word you wouldn’t use in everyday life.”

Allyson thought for a moment. “Screwdriver.”

Zeke tilted his head back and let out a belly laugh. “Good one. You get nervous, scared, anything doesn’t feel right, say screwdriver, and I’ll stop.”

“What happens after you stop?”

“Then we discuss why you called your safe word. If we can talk it out and you’re willing to continue, we will. If we talk it out and you’re still uncomfortable, we move on.”

“Move on? Like, walk away from each other?”

“No, sweetheart.” His fingers curved around her neck. “We move on to something else.”

“You scared me a bit there.” Allyson relaxed into his touch on the back of her neck.

“Not my intention.” He shifted. “Close your eyes.”

She followed his instructions.

“That’s it.” His fingers caressed her skin. “Relax. Nothing is going to happen that you don’t want.” His voice was soft, almost hypnotic. “Today is all about learning about each other. No, don’t tense up. Learning each other’s bodies and what you like and don’t like.”

Allyson forced her muscles to loosen. She needed to quit taking him so literally or at least ask before she jumped to conclusions. “So I get to touch you?”

“Yes. Now there are a few ways we can do this. Go into my bedroom and lay on the bed, or stay here in the family room, either on the sofa or on the floor.” His voice was closer now. “If you’re comfortable, we could go out on the back patio on the oversized loungers and play there.”

A small tremor went through her body. The bedroom seemed too intimate. The family room had merit, but it would be uncomfortable on the floor. Outside? “Can we try outside?”

“Of course.” His breath brushed her cheek. “Open your eyes.” She did and saw his deep brown gaze watching her. “Why don’t you go out onto the patio, and I’ll grab us some water. It’s warm today, but not hot. But we still need to stay hydrated.”

“Okay.” Her voice was soft as he released her neck and stood. Allyson licked her lips and made her way out to the patio.

The oversized lounger had been moved closer to the house. Allyson looked around and her lips turned up. The way Zeke’s porch was set up, and the fact he didn’t have close neighbors, would protect them from prying eyes, if there were any. One would practically have to be right next to the patio to see them.

“Are you still nervous?” Zeke asked as he walked out, carrying several water bottles, and setting them on the side table.

“A little.”

“Let’s see what I can do to ease your nerves.” He walked over to the lounger and patted the seat. Allyson sat down. “Now lean back and close your eyes.”

She did as he asked, keeping her hands at her sides.

“Communication is important, so talk to me.”

“All right.” Allyson swallowed.

Zeke’s fingers caressed her cheeks in a light touch, and her muscles uncoiled as her body relaxed onto the lounger.

“That’s it. Relax.”

His fingers skimmed over her neck to her throat. Every place he touched, her nerves came alive.

“You skin is pink, are you blushing or hot?”

“I’m hot from your touch.”

“Good.” He toyed with the buttons of her shirt. “May I unbutton your shirt?”

“Please.”

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