Page 10 of Culture and Curiosities (Blue Ridge Charm #1)

Toman

We had found another activity which brought out the hunter in my mate. He was what the diner men called adorable but that word could still indicate danger.

Did the diner men understand that?

The sparkly dragon who threatened to eat human shapes did.

“We shall start out with the plan of you getting what you want.” That always seemed to be the best way to start a mating based on my observations. “However, I will promise to use safewords and to explain my thoughts should my desires change.”

“You need to tell me what you want, too, though. We can both be happy.” Wren’s sweet tone indicated youthfulness, but his gaze was pure hunter.

And I seemed to be his prey.

It was a unique experience and brought out conflicting emotions.

“From what I have overheard, there will always be ways of compromising in a mating and the caretaker relationship.” Giving in to the growing urge, I spread my legs wider and used my hands on his arms to encourage him closer. “We will find ways of both gaining pleasure in a variety of ways.”

“We’re going to have fun, Daddy.” Finally pressing himself against me, Wren smiled a mix of sweetness and predatory intent. “But whenever you’re ready, you can be in charge for a few minutes or for a long time. We’re just going to have fun.”

It seemed the dominants were supposed to project their predatory instincts and the submissives were supposed to pretend to suppress them. The enjoyment in the game was discovering how those behaviors mixed.

Wren was indicating predatory submission by being on his knees in a lowered position, so my equal response was to project control and dominance. Mild teasing submission should have a mild teasing domination response.

Wishing I’d read Klynn’s romantic books or at least thought to have a conversation with someone knowledgeable about mating, I took what I had seen of the mates in town and wrapped one hand around his neck.

The barest pressure on the delicate part had him reacting with pleasure and his muscles rippled as they tensed and spasmed. “I will have fun with my mate by taking a kiss.”

The game he had initiated indicated needing a predatory response so that meant taking what he was offering and not asking. But a verbal or nonverbal warning seemed to be appropriate judging by the behavior of the local dominants usually called Daddy.

His moan as I brushed my lips with his said I had read his signals clear and gave permission to continue the game.

Light kissing thankfully brought instincts to the surface and deepened our tentative bond.

I could feel his pleasure like a caress and knew from his desires when to nibble on his lips and when to deepen the kiss.

I had not understood why mates did what was called public displays of affection , but it was helpful to match my mate’s expectations with appropriate actions.

Pleasure was radiating from him when I finally pulled away, still keeping my hold on his body since that was giving him great desire. “My fun will start with exploring my mate.”

I was the predator.

Predators must take charge.

Prey must submit.

“Can you be still for me, my mate?” His skin was tempting, so I gave in to the urge to press kisses along his barely rough jaw. “Can you be my good boy?”

Ha.

I used the phrase correctly.

My mate’s body reacted again and he sucked in a breath like prey caught in the predator’s stare. “I…I can be good, Daddy.”

The way his muscles twitched would have worried me except for the pleasure and desire that was filling our growing bond. For a people who claimed to have slow or nonexistent bonding, ours was already strong and I could feel his presence in me.

So I gave him the teasing I thought he craved, pulsing my desire to touch him and explore his body through the bond.

This is when it was appropriate to say bingo.

“Daddy…” My mate moaned out my new title, whimpering softly as his body rippled for me and his hips thrust forward. “That’s…you’re…”

“I’m in you already, my mate.” His instincts were pushing him to have me inside him, but the only way it could envision that was through physical mating. Our bond would be much more than that, however. “Feel my desire.”

The dominant partner did not ask unless consent was important. He was to feel and submit to gain pleasure.

Knowing the logic of the exchange did not help to surprises worries but seeing and feeling his reactions did.

His eyes closed and his head fell back as I pulsed the emotions through the bond as if I were plucking the strings on an instrument for music. But even without having the right word, I could give him pleasure and control the desire I was sharing with him. “Daddy…”

More moans indicated approval and I could feel what I thought was his submission mixed with his desire. It was stronger than anything I’d ever felt and I couldn’t imagine anyone formidable enough to be both predator and prey.

My mate was incredible.

And very needy.

Hips rocked as his sounds grew more desperate, but waiting would only increase the pleasure. “No, my mate.”

The firm tone drew an even stronger reaction from him but the denial seemed to increase his pleasure as well. It took several long moments for his body to settle and his eyes to open. Worries were not necessary when he took on the expression of a pout.

I had seen those at the diner as well.

The owner threatened soup if pouts were given in her establishment, but I did not think that was a reasonable reaction under our circumstances.

“But, Daddy…” Widening his eyes to look more like innocent prey, he did his best to lure me in as he leaned against me and rubbed himself like he was trying to cover himself in my scent.

Smart prey was sneaky.

Yes, the diner men were making much more sense now.

“You…that was amazing, Daddy.” His attempt at using cuteness to get his way was admirable, but even I could understand that I was not to give in.

That would end the game too quickly.

“It will become even more amazing after I have discovered all the wonderful parts of your body, my Wren.” Tightening my grip on the back of his neck again, I leaned close once more and kissed along his jaw.

Dropping my voice low, I let him hear the predator in me.

“You have been teasing and rubbing your beautiful body against me since we first met.”

Yes, vague hints of a threat.

The or else of mating.

Ha.

Field research was not as difficult as I was told it would be.

I was just not using it in the way in which anyone could have predicted.

“You…” Whining softly, my mate attempted to manipulate me by rubbing against me and working his body to imitate the penetrative sex he craved. “You’re my mate. I can’t help it.”

I shrugged, having seen this scene play out just outside of the police building. “Then I will help correct your behavior, my naughty boy.”

Yes, pleasure radiated from him through the bond and in the sounds he made. “Daddy…I can’t…what if…”

Making a sound that I would give a misbehaving child, I shook my head. “Then we will have to discuss punishments. My mate can be a good boy. I know that.”

More kisses were in order as he practiced taking deep breaths. When his sounds and body were under control, he relaxed into me without the visible begging. “Yes, Daddy. I’ll be a good boy.”

“Thank you.” Pressing my lips right under his ear, I made a soft, pleased sound. “But what do good boys get?”

I had been told by the diner men that this could be dessert or sexual favors, and it was good to see that they were correct.

Although, the more I thought about their helpfulness, the more I understood that it could be stressful for someone with the instincts to be little.

Being Team Binkie was not easy.

“Rewards.” Wren’s moaned-out response and obvious pleasure were not given for cookies or diner pie. “I’ll be your good boy, Daddy. You…you just have to tell me the rules.”

Yes, he needed parameters so that he knew what limits to push against.

“You are going to lie still on the bed and allow me to explore your body.” Both the physical and bonding responses indicated approval, but he was working on a verbal response as well based on his breathing and sounds.

So I was patient, which was a skill most Daddies seemed to need to possess.

My mate was very lucky I had much practice with learning that behavior.

“I get to be naked?” The answer was clearly supposed to be yes, but he continued to speak before I could respond. “I don’t have to be. I’ll be good either way. Yes. I’ll be good.”

That seemed to be based on my needs, so I gave him one last kiss and straightened.

Needing to see my reactions was probably as instinctual as my need to see his, so I waited for him to focus on my expression before I spoke.

“Yes. You will be naked for me so I can see your beautiful form, touch you, and kiss you.”

His explanation of mate behaviors had focused a significant amount of time on kissing, so I took that to mean he would like that activity.

I was right.

“Oh, Daddy.” Pleasure poured through the bond as it strengthened again and flashes of images appeared as well.

My mate had a very strong visual mind.

It was helpful.

“That’s…I’ll be good, Daddy.” That promise seemed more instinctual than something he should be held to, but I nodded since that was the appropriate response. “I can be still.”

That was doubtful.

My mate never seemed to stop moving no matter what we were doing.

Some creatures were just not meant to be caged by a small human-style body, so his restraint was admirable. On my world, my mate would’ve probably taken the dragons’ path, staying in his primary form and sailing the skies until only physical need brought him down.

In this world, however, everything had changed for our people.

“I will help my sweet boy.” Anticipation and something else I couldn’t quite explain filled the bond, but nothing about it felt negative.

Flashes of fascinating images were quick to follow, explaining some of his feelings.

Restraints.

His imagination was so clear he even provided visual explanations.

Handcuffs.

Yes, police restraints like the ones the human had threatened the cheerful dragon with. No matter what Klynn claimed, the locals were incredibly helpful once context was applied.

And my Wren was incredibly helpful with context.

“How…how are you going to help me, Daddy?” He was attempting to provide manipulation through wide eyes and a non-threatening tone, but I was not easily distracted through such behaviors. “What…what are you going to do?”

“Restrain you, my mate.” Kissing his cheek got a wonderfully dramatic moan from my mate. “Stand up. Be my good boy.”

That phrase was nearly magical and needed to be studied, but in the meantime I simply helped my mate to be steady as he attempted to obey.

It was a slow process but that seemed to make it better in some way.

I was also very patient and waited to start undressing him until I knew he would not fall.

“Do you have any limits you would like to give me at this moment?”

His negative response was not unexpected, but I felt the need to clarify my intentions. “You have indicated all body parts may be kissed and gently touched. I have no intention of applying pain at this time. However, spankings are appropriate for naughty boys.”

Yes, the locals were very helpful with context…but I was starting to understand why they were not always welcomed at traditionally human establishments.

“I…” My mate blinked and seemed to forget his words as I slowly drew his shirt over his head. “I…”

Still nothing helpful, but it was not a negative response, so I continued to remove his clothing. He had ample time to tell me a boundary or use his safewords, but nothing interrupted our time until he was standing beautiful before me.

“Wow.” Wren looked down at his body and then back up at me. “You’re my mate.”

“Yes, my Wren.” Stroking my hands up his chest, I shifted my touch to cup his neck and eased him down to take his mouth with mine. “I belong to you until the ancestors bring me home and beyond.”

Ceremonies and promises were beautiful and fascinating but they would never be more special than that one simple fact.

We were mates.