“You said you trusted me, so I don’t want to hear doubt from here on out,” he informed throatily.
My mouth was too dry for me to speak, but I don’t think Stenton wanted me to. I then heard the unclicking of the door. Stenton took me by the hand and led me into his bedroom. We walked a bit before I felt the coolness of the marble floors underneath my feet making me aware of entering the bathroom. Next, Stenton removed my clothes. He then assisted me into the Jacuzzi where he washed me fully and gently. He didn’t speak, and though as unfamiliar with his touch as I was at the time, it felt hesitant. That bothered me.
“Stent.”
His roaming hand that was rinsing the soap from my back froze. “Yes.”
“I’m okay. I’m not afraid. I’m not unsure. I’m not concerned—curious as all get out…yes, but that’s all.”
I felt his cool breath hit my wet skin when he exhaled. There was a tentative pause before he asked me to stand and dried me off. Then I stood on the fluffy rug and endured the torment of him massaging a cream into my body, feeling him apply soft worshipful kisses in various places, especially my wrists and ankles. I had mixed feelings when he stopped.
Stenton took me by the hand and led me out into the bedroom. He stopped and rounded me, pulling his long arms around my waist and into his frame so snug that I felt his erection on my lower back. He buried his face into my neck and inhaled deeply, sending chills down my spine. My breathing spiked.
“Ni?a…” he murmured adoringly, almost desperately. “I’m going to uncover your eyes.” I could feel each syllable he spoke reverberating in my core. Stenton’s voice was low, gruff, heavy, and wanting. “Now, if you run like a bat out of hell, not only will you be naked in affluent Alpine, but your skin is still damp and your mom will tell you that condition doesn’t mix well with winter temperatures.”
With my mouth agape, I nodded, desperate to experience whatever he was proposing.
When the blindfold was removed, I had to take a moment to adjust my eyes. Everything seemed in place to me. Nothing was unusual or new. I didn’t get it. Then Stenton took me by the shoulders again, slightly pivoting me a thirty degree angle to have a frontal view of the bed. That’s when I saw it.
In each of the four corners of his bed were long black straps, crossing the bed, with metal chains at the ends that attached to another strap, lined with Velcro. It took no time for me to register the application.
“You’re into BDSM?”
I could feel Stenton’s chuckle from above as his chin rested on the top of my head.
“Very mildly. Only the bondage.”
I steeled in place, shocked that I’d missed it. Stenton had been so passive about sex, leaving me to be the aggressor. I didn’t think that was the characteristic of a person with kink.
“Are you going to speak again or run? Because I’ve changed my mind about allowing you out of here if you decide to, having seen you and those in the same place.” His voice poured out like a pained hum.
Still not in control of my breathing, I answered, “I’m not running. I mean…I won’t be running.”
Another exhale escaped him. “Good, Ni?a.”
“But why the restraints? What draws you to that type of kink?”
That quickly, I regretted the term.
Stenton’s laughter extended this time. I was relieved I didn’t offend him.
“I like the idea of having you helplessly at my mercy and direction when bringing you pleasure.”
“Me? I’m the only woman you’ve done this with? Because Mr. Rogers, I don’t mind being your guinea pig, but it’ll be mighty embarrassing having a firefighter release me from those devices.”
“No, but I don’t think I’ve ever wanted it more with a woman than I do with you.”
Not able to peel my gaze from the restraints, I shrugged. “Then, let’s do it.”
My body was roughly turned, completely. Stenton’s scowl bore into me.