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She would enjoy it if she could get past any preconceived notions she might have. She had never fallen asleep faster in the past week than during the times he tucked the sheet around her sotightly she couldn’t move. Her response to his ropes when she’d been delirious with fever was more than he could have asked for. She had calmed beautifully.

“What is it, Daddy? I’ll try anything.”

He hoped he wouldn’t have to remind her of those words.

Holding out his hand to her, he was pleased when she took it without hesitation. Leading her to the door he always kept locked, he grinned. “You said you wanted to know where this door led. Now I get to show you.”

After entering the key code, he opened the door and ushered her into the room. “We can stay or leave, it’s up to you. There is no pressure either way. This is something I enjoy, and it helps me to clear my mind and relax. Take a second to look around, and ask me any questions you think of.”

He imagined the room where he practiced his Shibari, sometimes inviting a woman to spend the night. Usually, he went to The Red Barn. He intentionally kept the lighting in the room low. It was hard to relax under a spotlight. The room had subtle aromas of lavender, frankincense, and sandalwood to encourage relaxation and tranquility.

Releasing his hand, his Little gypsy turned in a slow circle, taking everything in before speaking. “Why are the walls all mirrored?”

“Shibari is an art, Gypsy. Like a lot of art, it’s a visual experience. I want you to see how beautiful you are in my designs.”

She nodded. He liked that she listened to his answer and considered it thoughtfully. Bracing himself as she crossed to his rig in the center of the room, he studied her, watching for signs of distress. She appeared calmer already.

Running her hand along one of the brace poles, she asked, “What is this for?”

“It’s called a suspension frame. We aren’t using it tonight. But if you enjoy our floorwork, we can discuss using it in the future.”

She tilted her head and stared at him, as if trying to muster the courage to tell him something. His heart sank. She didn’t want to try rope play with him. He understood. It could be intimidating. Couldn’t she at least try it, explore the idea with him?

“You keep using those words,” she said.

What was she talking about? He hadn’t used any Shibari terms she couldn’t understand. “What words, babygirl?”

“The future,” she said. “You keep talking about the future, acting like I will be part of that future with you. It isn’t nice to say things like that if you don’t mean them. It’s too easy for people to misunderstand and get their hopes up, and—Daddy!”

He crossed the room to her before he realized his feet were moving. Then she was in his arms. He had wanted to distract her. This was better than anything he had planned.

His girl would be disappointed if his future didn’t include her. He had decided a week ago that wasn’t going to happen. She was his, both in the present and definitely in the future.

“Gypsy, you aren’t in my future. You are my future.” And then he was kissing her. Deep. Wet. Hard. She wrapped her hands behind his neck and kissed him back. It was beautiful.

He reached for the zipper of her tracksuit, pulling it down so he had access to her skin. He needed to touch her. Feel the warmth of her. The softness.

He ran his finger along the edge of her bra, dipping underneath to tease increasingly sensitive skin. His other hand snaked into her hair, wrapping the long, silken strands around his fingers. As he tugged, she tilted her head back, giving him access to the column of her neck.

She tasted like the sweetest strawberry wine. His tongue explored her neck, searching out each and every sensitive spot. Raking his teeth along the cord of her neck, he reveled in her every response.

Her nipples, taut and diamond-hard, pebbled against his palm.As he drew his thumb across the sensitive bud, he waited for her gasp of pleasure, and she did not disappoint him. His cock strained against his zipper to the point of pain.

Pulling back, he drew in a ragged breath, willing himself to slow down. He was not going to make love to her for the first time by pounding into her on the floor of his playroom.

With considerable effort, he gentled his kisses. She wasn’t making it easy, pressing her body against his and making the most delicious whimpers and moans of pleasure.

She pulled his head down to press kisses along his jaw. When she reached his ear, she caught his lobe between her teeth and bit, gently, but enough he damn near came in his pants on the spot.

“Naughty girl,” he rasped, scraping the shadow of his beard along her neck. “Gypsies who bite their Daddies get punished.”

“Mm,” she hummed in his ear, then gently bit him again and whispered, “Daddy, show me how your ropes work.”

Fuck. His babygirl wanted to play.

He cupped her face in his hands, searching her eyes for any sign of fear. He found nothing but desire.

“All right, babygirl. I need to collect a few things. I want you to stand right here and be very still.”