“Do you…like that kind of play?”
“It’s not one of my favorites, but I’m not averse to it if it interests you.”
“It doesn’t.”
“Fair enough. There’s sensory deprivation. I’ve introduced you to that already on a minor scale. There’s also larping.”
“What’s larping?”
“Live Action Role Playing. It’s huge in the gaming community. The club takes it to a sexual level.”
“Meaning…”
“Like Superman having sex with Wonder Woman. Stuff like that. Sci-fi is big. Sex with aliens. That kind of thing.”
“So you have a room where…”
“Where you can watch people engaging in alien sex? Yeah. Except they’re not real aliens, of course. Some of the costuming is pretty elaborate, though.”
I’m pretty sure my jaw is on the floor somewhere. “Oh. My. God.”
“I told you before that clothing is a fetish for some. So is costuming.”
“But not for you.”
“No. I prefer to be myself when I play. I’m Braden Black and no one else.”
“Good, because Braden Black is who I want to have sex with.”
“Anything sound intriguing to you?”
“What kind of things do you see in the larping room?”
He shakes his head. “I’m not sure you’d believe me if I told you.”
“Can I see it?”
“Sure. The next time we go to the club. What else interests you?”
“Not larping. I’m just curious how that works, but I don’t want to do it myself. I prefer to be with you. As me.”
“Fine with me. Anything else?”
The bondage is what truly speaks to me. The trust required, and I do trust Braden with all my heart. Still, I’m willing to learn more. I’m willing to do what he wants me to do. So I know my answer.
“Whatever you want,” I say. “I’ll do whatever you want.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
“We didn’t finish what we began the last time,” Braden says. “That ass is mine.”
“It’s yours.” I smile.
“Good. I’m going to take it tomorrow evening. At my place.”
I’m slightly let down. “Not at the club.”
“No, Skye. I changed my mind about that. I’m going to take it here in Boston. Because this is my home, and this is your home. And that ass is going to be mine here and wherever else I want it.”
I swallow. “All right.”
How will he take me? Will he bind me? Blindfold me? Tell me not to feel anything?
I want to know.
Yet I don’t want to know. I want to savor the anticipation. The surprise.
“I’m exhausted,” he continues while typing something into his phone, “so I’m not going to stay here with you tonight. If I do, neither of us will get any sleep, and I need it after the week I’ve had.”
I nod. “I’m disappointed, but I understand.”
“Thank you. Christopher will pick you up here tomorrow evening at five. Be ready.”
“I will be. What should I wear?”
“Whatever you like. You’ll be changing at my place.”
“Into what?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.” His phone dings. “Christopher’s downstairs waiting for me.”
I nod.
He stands up and pulls me alongside him. He touches my cheek. “It’s never easy to say goodbye to you.”
“Really?”
“Surely you know that.”
“That night in New York, when you ended things. You seemed so…cold.”
“I’ve learned to hide my emotions. I’ve had to, for business purposes. But as you know, I don’t lie. That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
Pleasure rips through me along with sadness. It’s an odd sensation. I’m pleased it was so difficult for him, but I don’t like to think of him in any kind of pain.
In a way, before tonight, I almost thought of Braden as impervious to pain.
He presses his lips to mine without opening them. Just as well. If he opens them, we’ll end up back in bed. Not that I’d complain, but if he needs his sleep, I want him to have it.
I want what’s best for Braden. Always.
…
Tessa’s downward dog is still flawless, and mine still sucks.
“Ugh,” I say. “Why do I even try?”
“Because it’s good for you.” Tessa pulls her body upward.
“I do love yoga, and yeah, it helps with stress and all that, but the fucking downward dog!”
“It’s tough for some people.”
“That’s what you always say.”
“And I’m still right.”
I laugh. Being with Tessa back at yoga on a Saturday feels good. Damned good. We just completed a hot yoga class, and we’re both panting and sweating. All is good.
Plus, I’m back on my game with my Instagram posts.
And Braden and I are back together. We still have a lot to learn about each other, but we’re both willing. We’re in love.
I emailed Eugenie this morning to let her know that Braden and I had reconciled. Even though she previously said it wasn’t a problem, that she was willing to see how I did anyway, I know she was disappointed before. Yeah, Braden’s the reason I have this contract. But you know what? It’s an opportunity, and I’d be foolish not to take advantage of any opportunity that comes my way.
Braden taught me that.
I grab a towel and wrap it around my neck to catch the sweat. “I need a shower.”
“See you in the steam room,” Tessa says.
I nod, head to the locker room, and grab a quick shower. I wrap my wet hair in a towel and walk into the ladies’ steam room. I inhale the peppermint and eucalyptus. That’s why I really love the steam room. I don’t need the heat. I just did hot yoga. I need the fresh spike of fragrance that opens my sinuses like nothing else.
“You in here, Tess?”
“Over here.”