Page 11 of Broken Rules

“Let it go, Becca.”

“What?”

“Your embarrassment, inhibitions, whatever is stopping you from talking to me.We were lovers.No judgment here.”

“I don’t know what’s holding me back.I don’t know what the hell I want.”

He grinned, and while she wanted to be annoyed with him, she knew her confusion wasn’t his fault.

“I see.”He released her hands, and she missed his warmth.Pushing the chair back, he rubbed the back of his neck.“Do you trust me?”

“Yes.”The admission surprised her.

“That was a quick answer.I’ve changed from the guy you knew in college.”

They hadn’t seen each other in years, but in the past, he’d been a gentle, generous lover.Her trust in him was still there; otherwise, she wouldn’t have agreed to be his partner.

“I’ve changed too.”She’d buried the wild and carefree girl she’d been when she became a responsible woman.That wasn’t a bad thing, but she was tired of being responsible.

“I can see that.Bet you’ve been suppressing your sexuality.”

His insight startled her.“What makes you say that?”

“Down by the stables, you were tense.You think I can’t remember the signs?You couldn’t relax at dinner.My Becca was more outgoing and talked with people all the time.”

Becca nodded.He wasn’t wrong.

“You never thought twice about touching someone in support, be it a pat on the back or a quick hug.The woman in front of me seems closed down, suppressing the vibrant side of herself.”

While she wanted to deny it, she couldn’t.Yet another reason to have this carefree week and let herself go.Her new job would be as stressful as her last one, but it was her dream job.She’d need all her wits about her for that, so why not relax while she could.

“So, what are you going to do about it?”The words slipped from her before she could censor them.

“Free her,” he whispered.“Everything we do will be with consent.If there is something you don’t want to do, you’ll have a safe word.You say that, and everything stops.”

She frowned.“Does that mean I have to leave?If I use my safe word?”

He shook his head.“It means we stop and discuss why you used it.It’s perfectly fine to safeword if you feel unsafe or unsure of what we’re doing.We will discuss it and then decide to try again or skip it.”

She liked that.“All right.I consent to whatever you feel is best.”It was a leap of faith, but one she needed to make.

“Tomorrow, you will attend the lecture calledRevitalizing Your Sex Life with Communication.”

“Somehow, I don’t think my sex life needs revitalizing.It’s alive and kicking right now.”She punctuated her words with laughter.Oh, yes, her body was reacting in ways it hadn’t in years.

He grinned.“There’s more to the lecture than you know.It will help you open up, to communicate with your partner.I want you to be honest with me no matter what.”

Maybe Tyler was right.Communication hadn’t been forefront in her past relationships.

“Tell me what you want to try.”When she didn’t speak, he trailed his fingers over her cheek, leaving a path of heat.“No fear, no embarrassment.”

Becca took a breath and blew it out.Why is this so hard?Glancing over his shoulder, her gaze focused on one of the privacy bushes.Maybe if she didn’t look at him, she’d be able to tell him what she wanted.

“Ummmm…toys.”

“What else?”

Tension crept into her body.“Bondage.”

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