Page 58 of Salvage Him

Twelve

Harrison

Isat perchedon a barstool and nursed a beer. I avoided eye contact with every available sub in the place. Crush was my escape from everyday life, a place where I could be myself. Now, it reminded me more and more of what I wanted yetcouldn'thave.

My dad was ecstatic about my responsible purchase. He threw in a,Looks like my son is finally growing up. He asked me what brought this on, but I didn't tell him. I was excited, too, but it wasdampened.

I laid a ten on the counter and gave Jimmy, the bartender, a salute as I downed the rest of my beer. I took two steps towards the exit butstopped.

I spotted Brooklyn near theentrance.

She stood in front of the elevator. She wore a skintight V-neck t-shirt with a black laced bra that showed off her cleavage. Her short, pleated skirt barely covered her ass. She wore tall black heels. Not quite schoolgirl, but sexyashell.

She stood stock-still but searched the place, wringing her hands in the process. She was upset, fidgety, more thanusual.

I knewthelook.

She neededsomething.

Sheneededme.

I came upbehindher.

She gasped andshivered.

All the little hairs on my arms stood atattention.

She turned toward me, with her eyescastdown.

I lifted her chin and searched her eyes. They were sad andfrustrated.

She was an addict afraid to ask for another hit—out of shame or guilt, I wasn't sure—but I did know I wanted to give it to her. With all she had told me and the natural bond we shared, I knew I could do this for her and keephersafe.

"Do you trust me?" Iasked.

Her body absorbed my words with ashudder.

"Yes," shewhispered.

I ran my hand down her neck, over her shoulder, and down her arm until I clasped her wrist. I headed toward the private rooms and pulled her alongwithme.

When we reached the door, I opened it and released my hold on Brooklyn. I wanted her to walk in on her own. Once in the room, I was in control, and sheknewit.

I knew what I wanted from her. I wanted her to be my sub. One hundred percent devoted to me. It wasn't reality, but I didn't care. I was selfish. As her Dom, I would be responsible for her needs, her wants, and her desires. As her Dom, I knew that wasn't what she neededrightnow.

She walked into the room. Her body visibly relaxed at the sight of the spanking bench in the center. She stood a few feet away and waited for myinstructions.

"Take off your shoes." She stepped outofthem.

I kicked them totheside.

"Bend over the bench. I'm going to restrain your arms at the wrist but not your legs. I'm going to spank you until you let go of what's causing you somuchpain."

Her eyes teared up, and she blinked thetearsaway.

"What's your safe word?" I asked as I stood behind her. I couldn't look intohereyes.

"Um." She wavered onherfeet.