Page 49

Jesus fucking Christ. That isnotwhere I expected this conversation to go.

How do I explain this to her without letting my personal experiences get in the way? The last thing I need to do is corrupt her any further. Though, at this point, her ignorance about sex seems to be diminishing every day, and not by my own doing, so I can’t exactly let the responsibility of preserving her innocence fall to me.

"There are a lot of people that engage in that sort of dynamic, but probably not as many as it might seem if you’re only considering my friend group as a sample size," I explain, choosing my words carefully. "I wouldn’t call it common, but it’s not a rare thing either. A lot of people who are into that sort of lifestyle tend to flock together."

She's quiet for a moment as she digests the information. Then she asks, "So are you into that sort of lifestyle?"

I groan internally, fighting every urge in my body that's telling me to touch her, to show her, to teach her. Kill me now. But even despite how fucking insane this conversation is already making me, I can’t lie to her.

"Yes, but not in the way Shane and Dani are. How much has she told you?" I know Claire has heard snippets about things from Dani and the ladies at the New Year’s party.

"Enough for me to know the basics of what their relationship entails and why she likes it. Enough for me to be curious…" she trails off.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. This is dangerous territory. This is the line I swore I wouldn't cross with her, but she’s tiptoeing dangerously close to the edge of it.

"I don’t know if I should be the one answering your questions," I tell her.

"Please," she pleads. "I’ve been kept in the dark my entire life. I’m sick of being treated like I’m too fragile and innocent to know about certain things. It’s not my fault that I was controlled and repressed for so long, and the last thing I need is to feel guilty for wanting to learn."

Damn. She’s got a point. "Okay. What do you want to know?"

She’s silent for a few seconds before asking, "You said you were into similar things as Shane but in a different way. How is it different for you?"

"Well, we’re both Dominants and enjoy being given control. He’s very focused on the rules and protocol, taking control in and outside of the bedroom. It’s a very strict dynamic. Whereas I…" Ugh, how do I say this without sounding like a total sex fiend to her?

"You what?"

"I’m more focused on having that controlonlyin the bedroom and using it in a different way."

"How so?"

Well, I guess there’s really no way to talk around the topic now. She’s curious enough that she won’t settle for vague answers. Fuck it. "I’m a pleasure Dom. That means I’m focused more on my partner’s pleasure than anything else, and I love to push those limits, seeing how much pleasure I can give my woman before she breaks."

I can barely make out her expression in the dark, but I’d be willing to bet anything that she’s blushing. "Oh."

"Any more questions?" I ask.

There’s a too-long pause, and I worry that maybe I’ve crossed a line. Was that too much for her?

"I want you to show me."

Holy fuck. "That’s not a question."

"Please," she whispers. "Teach me."

The words hang in the air between us, and my last remaining thread of hesitation snaps. I can’t pretend anymore, can’t act like I haven’t been dying to feel every inch of her skin, can’t resist the way she seems to want me almost as much as I want her.

But I need to take it slow—much slower than I’m used to. She deserves that buildup of pleasure, of learning the basics before I can give her what I truly want to.

I turn so I’m mirroring her position, on my side and facing her, and lean forward just slightly as I reach out and brush her hair back over her shoulder.

"Okay, but we’re going to take it slow, and I need you to tell me if you change your mind. Communication is the most important thing here, and youneedto speak up for yourself. Understand?"

She nods. "Yes."

I take a deep breath, preparing myself for what's to come. For the world I’m about to drag her into.

"Have you ever made yourself come before, Claire?"