Page 15 of Liberating Lena

Her eyes, which at first had appeared blue, were more gray. The limbal ring was a dark thick black that acted like a natural highlight and gave depth to the lighter pewter of the irises it surrounded.

“What are you looking at?”

“I thought it was obvious. The beautiful scenery of course.” She blushed, as I expected she would. My girl wasn’t used to positive affirmations. Yes, she’d become my girl in the space of an afternoon.

Lena pushed her half-empty plate away. I noticed she never finished a meal. This may be something we’d need to addressif she was doing it because she had a twisted view of how she looked, assuming she saw herself as anything less than beautiful. Her build was slim with the exception of the wide flair of her hips and the luscious ass that wiggled as she moved.

My plate was empty, and I also pushed it away. “Lena, how do you feel about doing a light-protocol scene?”

Instantly alert, Lena’s posture and energy shifted. “What did you have in mind, Sir?”

“My leathers I wear for a scene are laid out on my bed, with the exception of the belt and boots I’m wearing. Many submissives find it relaxing to help me remove these items and put them away. Would you like to try that?”

She offered a small smile. “What are the rules, Sir?”

“I will give you instructions and you will carry them out. If you have a question, you will put up your hand to seek permission to speak. Is that acceptable?”

“Yes. May I begin?”

“You may.”

Lena stood and moved to kneel at my feet. She lifted my booted foot into her lap, untying my laces with precision and speed. She loosened the boot until my foot slid out easily. She repeated her actions with the other foot and then took her time fussing with the discarded boots until she was satisfied. She set them aside and then rose on her knees to undo my belt.

“Before you do that, sub, I would prefer to stand.”

She lowered herself and scooted back a few feet to give me room. Once I was standing, she shuffled back. When she reached for the buckle, there was a flicker in her eyes, a moment of fear, like a ghost had brushed her skin.

“Lena. If anything feels wrong–anything–you say it and stop. No judgment. No penalty.”

I waited while she processed my words. She allowed herself a deep breath before continuing. When she’d pulled the beltsuccessfully from the loops, I kneeled down opposite her. “That was perfect, Lena, and I want to thank you for trusting me.”

Lena swallowed but didn’t reply. I stood back and helped her to her feet. I took her by the hand and led her to my room where the other items were laid out on the bed. She made quick work of placing the items in the closet and going back for the boots and belt and putting them away as well.

When she was done, she kneeled at my feet, head bowed, hands falling palms up and resting on her thighs, presenting beautifully. I wanted to run my hands through her curly locks but I held myself back. She’d specifically said no touching during a scene without first getting permission which I had not done.

“Well done. You may stand.” Once she was standing opposite me, I added, “Permission to be at ease.” Lena relaxed although it didn’t affect her naturally erect posture all that much, but she did smile.

“Thank you, Ethan, that was very relaxing indeed.”

“You are welcome, sweet girl. I should probably get you home.”

At the front door, I slid on my sneakers and grabbed a jacket. It could get cold at night despite the warm temperatures during the day. I grabbed a hoodie from my closet and wrapped Lena in it. With our size difference, she looked like a child wearing her father’s coat.

I swallowed a satisfied growl seeing her in my too-big clothing. “Ready?”

She nodded and we stepped out into the darkness.

CHAPTER 9

Lena

Ethan and I had fallen into an easy pattern. I worked in the mornings with Carrie and met Ethan for lunch in the cafeteria. Afterward, we’d go for walks exploring the grounds of Rawhide Ranch or went horseback riding.

It was on the third day of ourD/s constructand I was coming up from the Dungeon when I heard a familiar voice in the office room behind the reception desk of the lodge. He was using that commanding tone that he still hadn’t used on me. I’d seen and heard him and knew that this was that boardroom version I’d witnessed that he told me about. He’d said it had extended to D/s relationships in the past. I wasn’t entirely sure what he meant by that, but I couldn’t see why any woman would have a hard time with the hardcore Ethan, the one he felt he needed to protect me from.

I got it, yes. I hadn’t allowed the man to even kiss me since we’d met. I guess that could be interpreted as being broken, but the stipulation was added by me to keep from falling for the millionaire. Outside this magical place of Rawhide, we couldn’tbe. No successful billionaire wanted a failed submissive. Sure, he found me interesting now, but that would change.

Whoever he was talking to, was receiving a dressing down from Ethan. I closed my eyes and just listened to the rich, resonant tone that swept over me. By comparison, I realized now that Daniel had sounded waspish. What had I seen in him? Why had I given away my power to such a cruel man?

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