“Seeing as how we didn’t the first time…” I nibble on my lower lip and can’t help but laugh. “We should probably wait down here.”
“I’ll wait. You take these up to the roof.” Paul hands me the paper plates.
“I wouldn’t want you to wait down here alone.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
“But don’t you want to see the sunset? The view is spectacular.”
Paul’s tall enough that I have to tilt my head back to look up at him.
“I do, and I would, but tonight’s mine with Forest. Sara can have him for sunset.”
“What’s a throuple?” I shouldn’t ask, but I’m curious like a cat. There’s something special about the three of them, and I want to understand it.
“A throuple?” He pulls at his chin. “It’s a way to say we’re all in one relationship, with different relationship dynamics between us.”
“I have no idea what that means.”
“Well, Sara and Forest are married, and Forest and I are in a D/s relationship.”
“D/s?”
“BDSM. Have you heard the term?”
“I have.” I cup my cheeks and feel the heat radiating from them. “Sorry, I’m not used to such direct…”
“I tend to be quite direct.”
“So you and Forest are…” Somehow, I can’t make my words flow.
“In a relationship with a power dynamic as the central focus.”
“And you and Sara?”
“Sara and I are still figuring that bit out. I mean there are the twins…”
“Twins?”
“Yes. We’ve got two amazing kids together.”
“You and Sara?”
“No. Me, Forest, and Sara.”
“I’m sorry; I don’t mean to pry, and not that it’s any of my business, but what?” I feel bad for snooping on something that has nothing to do with me, but I’m genuinely curious.
“Don’t apologize for being curious. Many people don’t understand our unique lifestyle. Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it. It takes a lot of communication and work. Let me see if I can explain.” He pauses for a second to gather his thoughts while I wait with intense curiosity. “Forest and I are a Dom-sub pair. Are you familiar with what that means?”
“I am.”
Although, from what little I know about Forest, all of three seconds on the roof and what Carmen’s told me, I don’t see Forest as the submissive in any relationship.
He’s the founder of Guardian Hostage Rescue Specialists. His entire vision is to create a world where those who are weak are not preyed upon by those stronger than themselves. How could a man like that cede authority to another?
Paul watches me parse this in my head. He doesn’t push. Doesn’t force. In fact, he does nothing I’d expect from a Dom. And yes, like the rest of the world, I’m very familiar with the BDSM lifestyle thanks to the extraordinary success of Fifty Shades of Grey.
“Forest and Sara,” Paul begins, “are a traditional pairing. Forest and I are the exact opposite: a male-male dyad. Sara and I are the two halves who make Forest whole. We’re both exactly what he needs, yet not enough on our own to fill the void within him.”
“Two halves who make him whole?” My curiosity about Forest, and his partners, Sara and Paul, delves deeper than it should. “I tried something like that.”
“What?”
“A D/s relationship, but it didn’t work out.”
“It doesn’t always.” He appears sympathetic, which helps me open up to him. I have certain questions, things that have bothered me about Scott, and no one to ask. Paul may have answers.
“Is it typical for the Dom to do what he wants?”
“That depends.” Paul tips his head sideways.
“Okay…” I pull at my chin, thinking I may have been too harsh cutting Scott off.
“I sense a deeper question. Please, feel free to ask. I have extensive experience in the lifestyle.”
Normally, I wouldn’t share any of my thoughts like this, but Paul makes me feel safe.
“It’s just that I broke things off with my boyfriend.”
“He was your Dom?”
“I’m not exactly sure.”
“That’s not something that should ever be in question.”
“It was more of a gradual thing. Does that make any sense?”
“Regardless, a D/s dynamic isn’t something that is a gradual thing. You broke things off. Why?”
“I caught him with another woman.”
“In your dynamic, was that something that was allowed?”
“No.” I pull back in shock. “Not at all.”
“I ask because sometimes such things are a part of the exploration of power exchange. But I take it this was a violation of trust?”
“Yeah.”
“And the D/s? Can you explain more of your dynamic? It may help me provide advice.”
“Well, that’s just the thing. I mean, I know about BDSM, thanks to Fifty Shades. Scott is definitely dominant, in bed and out. We never officially labeled it. Over time, he became more controlling, more demanding—and when I caught him, I called things off. He says I can’t do that. I guess I’m wondering if I messed up. Did I misunderstand?”
“I don’t like to assume, but I have this to say. First off, there should be no question whether you’re in a D/s relationship. It’s the responsibility of both parties to fully discuss the dynamic and consent to the exchange of power, but in particular, it’s the Dom who’s responsible for ensuring the details of the relationship are firmly established. Each one is exceptionally unique, so it’s difficult to speak for all, but that’s a minimum. It sounds to me like you were not involved in a D/s relationship. It also appears that Scott violated the trust in your relationship with him.”
“He says things aren’t over until he says they are, and that I’ll regret leaving him.”
“Definitely not a Dominant. It sounds to me like he’s controlling and domineering. Those are red flags. You were right to leave him, and I wouldn’t give him the time of day. You owe him nothing.”
“Thanks. That’s what I’m trying to do. His texts are concerning.”
“How?”
“Threatening? Controlling. Sometimes, when I go out, I get a sense I’m being followed.”
“You should trust your gut. You believe he’s stalking you?”
“I have no proof.”
“I would suggest letting the Guardians watching over this house know about the threats. They’re watching for something coming from Maximus Angelo, Carmen’s father, and won’t know to look out for a potential stalker.”
“I’m embarrassed to mention it.”
“You have no reason to be embarrassed and plenty of reason to have extra eyes on it.”
“Thanks. I feel a bit foolish, but this really helps. Thank you for letting me talk about it. I didn’t know who to ask about the D/s stuff.”
“If you have any other questions, you can ask me anytime.”