Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 88350 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88350 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Lia bristled, her chin lifting. “It’s not that I have trouble letting go. I just have no interest in it. I like to be in control. I suppose I’m what you’d call someone who tops from the bottom. I know what I want and I’m not afraid to ask for it.”
“I wonder,” Beau mused aloud, more intrigued than he wanted to admit, “if that’s really true? Or is it more that you simply don’t know how to let go and, high achiever that you are”—he cocked a brow, quoting her—“you therefore have taken that goal off the table?”
Lia shrugged, her eyes flitting away from his. “Maybe,” she muttered.
Setting down his empty plate, Beau got to his feet. “Let’s head back to the dungeon.” He reached for his gear bag and hoisted it over his shoulder. “I’ll introduce you to Kinbaku. I promise you won’t be bored.”
≈
As Lia rose eagerly to her feet, Beau directed, “Take off the robe, Lia.”
It wasn’t a request, but a command. Both his tone and the look in his eyes sent a shiver of anticipation through her, tinged with a hint of delicious fear. Without hesitation, Lia slipped the robe from her shoulders and left it on the chair. The promise of some intense bondage with this sexy man made her nipples hard.
When they entered the dungeon, Beau stopped and looked around. “Let’s see if we can find a free bondage station.”
Before Lia could reply, Lawrence appeared. Ignoring her, he focused on Beau. “You’re Beau, right?”
“That would be me, yes,” Beau agreed with a smile.
Lawrence thrust out his hand. “Welcome to The Enclave. Glad to have you aboard. I’m Lawrence.”
“It’s good to meet you, Lawrence.” His expression deadpan, Beau added, “Lia’s been telling me a little about you.”
Lawrence barked a mirthless laugh, still not bothering to look her way. “I’ll bet she has.”
Beau let that hang in the air a beat before saying, “We were just going to enjoy some Japanese rope bondage. Is there a suspension rack available, do you know?”
“I think you’re in luck. Follow me.”
Lawrence led them to a station that included a ceiling suspension rack from which hung several large stainless-steel rings. Miraculously, no one else had claimed the spot.
“Perfect,” Beau said, shrugging off his gear bag. “The suspension rings will do nicely for what I have in mind.”
“You’ll like these rings,” Lawrence said. “They have a special integrated ball-bearing swivel for an added bit of fun, especially during full suspension.” He flicked one of the rings to demonstrate, causing it to spin.
“Nice,” Beau said enthusiastically, infusing the single word with appreciation.
Lia couldn’t agree more. Bring it on, baby.
Lawrence nodded toward Beau’s gear bag. “I assume you have what you need in there? But just so you know, you’ll find rope, safety scissors, a first-aid kit and a thermal blanket in the cabinet, along with bottled water and welt salve.”
“Terrific,” Beau replied. “Thanks.”
“You got it. Give me a shout if you need anything else.” Lawrence’s lip curled slightly as he turned a disapproving gaze Lia’s way. “And watch out for this one. She’s a handful.”
“I’m not worried,” Beau replied with a grin. “Don’t forget, I’m the one with the rope.”
Lawrence chuckled. “I’d recommend a gag as well. She has trouble holding her tongue.”
Lia’s hands had curled into fists during this obnoxious exchange. What a pleasure it would be to sock the smug bastard in the jaw. Thankfully, he moved away before she gave in to her impulse.
“That’s the guy who made the lipstick comment, huh? No love lost between the two of you, I see.”
“None at all,” she agreed emphatically. “I was on his shit list from day one.”
“Then it’s a good thing he no longer has the slightest say in anything you do.” Beau placed a hand on her shoulder, his warm touch easing the tension she’d been holding in her body since Lawrence had reappeared. “Let’s forget about him and focus on our scene.”
“Works for me,” Lia agreed.
She watched with interest as Beau opened his gear bag and removed several hanks of twisted black rope. He set them out in a neat row on the edge of the scene mat.
“I use linen rope instead of hemp or jute,” he said, lifting a hank to show her. “It’s much softer, and excellent for suspension.”
He slowly looked her over from head to toe. She wanted to squirm under his gaze but forced herself to remain still. “No injuries or other considerations I need to know about?” he asked finally.
“Nope.”
“Good. Not that I’ll be suspending you completely off the ground your first time out. You’ll have to work your way up to that.”
Lia nearly blurted that she could handle anything he meted out. But she held her tongue, sensing this wasn’t a man to goad.
“Before we get started, I need to see how flexible you are,” Beau said. “Do a little stretching for me. Touch your toes, lift your arms over your head and then place your arms behind your back, wrists touching.”