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The next thing she knew, she was being lifted into Ry’s lap.Jed cuddled up against her back.Their loving embrace soothed her fears.

“You’re safe, little one,” Ry whispered, his fingers wiping away the tears on her cheeks.

“We’re here for you, Kitty Kat.”Jed rubbed her shoulders.

“I don’t know how long I sat in the closet, curled up in the back, trying to be quiet.So afraid.”She burrowed closer to Ry’s chest.“Mom found me after calling my name several times.”

“Why didn’t they call the sheriff?”Ry asked.

Katie gave a half-laugh with a hiccup.“Because there was no sign of anyone ever getting into the house.”She sniffled.“Mom thought it was just my imagination.But I knew someone had been there.”

“Of course you did.”Jed hugged her.

“I can’t stand total darkness.I still sleep with a night light on.”

“I’m so glad you told us.”Ry kissed her temple.

“Why didn’t you say something when you saw the blindfold in my hand?”Jed asked.

“I didn’t think it would be so bad.”She sniffled.“Then I panicked.”

“We hit a silent trigger,” Ry said.

Jed leaned back, grabbed the tissue box, and pulled several out before handing them to Ry.

“What’s that?”She scrunched up her nose, trying to figure out what they were talking about, but at least the knots in her stomach were slowly going away.

“It’s something buried in the psyche that you aren’t conscious of, or you would have told us.”

“It’s okay, sweetie.”Jed put his hand under her chin and lifted her face.

Ry used two tissues to remove all traces of her tears.Then he held a new tissue up to her nose.“Blow,” he said.

Her cheeks flushed, but she did as he instructed.Ry disposed of the tissues in the bedside bin before gazing down into Katie’s face.

“Thank you for trusting us with your fear.”

“But you know we’re still going to punish you for talking back and for the unauthorized orgasms,” Jed informed her.

Her body shook, but it was more from anticipation than fear now.

“Do you think you can keep your eyes closed while we play with you” Ry asked.

“I’m willing to try.”The hesitation in her voice made her wince.

“If it bothers you too much, say red.This is why we have safe words.”

She nodded.

“Jed’s right.We will always respect your usage of safe words.”Ry scooted to the edge of the bed and stood with Katie in his arms.He carried her back to the bench.

Within minutes they had her fully restrained.“Okay?”

“Yes, Sir Jed.

“Close your eyes.”Katie inhaled sharply.She didn’t panic.Maybe talking about it had helped.It didn’t mean she was totally comfortable with her loss of sight, but she could rely on her hearing.Besides, she knew who was in the room with her.

“Here we go, subbie,” Ry said.