Page 13

F OR MY BIRTHDAY, REMINGTON gifted me a gym membership. I wouldn’t let him pay for more than a year, but he insisted on at least one, especially so we can keep spending time together at least once per week.

But that hasn’t been difficult for us. It’s been over six months since we met, our initial, new relationship energy settling into a fuzzy sense of peace and security that I can’t get enough of. Whenever I’m in Remington’s arms after a long day, I wake up refreshed and ready to take on the world. Even Celeste meows a little brighter, adoring our combined attention.

Today, I’m leaving Celeste at home with plenty of food and fresh litter. Remington keeps his big hands pressed over the cheap Halloween costume he picked, hiding the design from me, but I have to turn my back to hide mine.

“Stop looking already,” I laugh.

He groans, throwing his head back. “I can’t. I’m dying to picture you in it.”

Thankfully, I don’t have to continue to dissuade him; it’s his turn to check out.

Except he swipes my costume from my hands to pay for it, keeping his eyes off the design as he tucks it beneath his costume.

I gasp. “Rem!”

He chuckles, greeting the cashier. They quickly ring up the costumes, and I accidentally peek at Remington’s costume choice.

We agreed on equally “cheap, slutty Halloween costumes,” but I didn’t expect Remington to be able to find an outfit for himself that’s this revealing: his knightly “armor” only covers the tops of his shoulders and chest, leaving his abdomen exposed. Rather than pants, there’s just a floppy little skirt to fit around his hips, padded with fake armor over a rich, red loincloth.

Remington hums. “Lilibeth Norris.”

I bite my lips, quickly averting my eyes. “I– I saw nothing.”

His sharp, huffing laugh makes the cashier blink a few times, spurring Remington into even more laughter as we exit the store.

“Answer me honestly: did you see it?”

I shake my head. “Not on you, so it didn’t count.”

He laughs, pulling me to his side with a big hand on top of my head. Leaning down to mutter into my ear, Remington deepens his low voice. “Naughty girl.”

My stomach flip-flops. I really do feel naughty, considering what we’re about to use these costumes for.

By the time we’ve settled back into Remington’s apartment, my gut rumbles with anticipatory nerves. Remington’s moody, vampire-chic bedroom suits our medieval costumes perfectly; his pillows are bloody shades of wine red, fluffy black blankets drape over his black bed frame like pelted coats, and a collection of various leather harnesses hung on the walls add an extra believability to the “dungeon” atmosphere. With candles lit, Remington and I separate to put on our outfits.

The second I see him in his skimpy knight costume, my heart flips. His tattoos are on full display, as well as his athletic thighs and cold, perky nipples, leaving my imagination to run wild.

But Remington’s eyes dart away from me. “Fuck, L.L.B.–”

I squirm against my tiny costume, struggling to choose between keeping it pulled up over my nipples or down over my ass. “S-sorry, I– I think it’s a little small.”

The second we meet eyes, we erupt into giggles.

“Yeah, I–” Remington clears his throat, his hands zipping between his legs. “I’m getting a little too eager just looking at you, clearly. If I’m not careful, something’s going to pop out of my clothes too.”

I sputter out a laugh. Dashing to meet him, I huddle against his bare chest.

Remington isn’t only proficient in knitting yarn; as we run through our scene, he knots a gorgeous flower pattern over my chest, cupping my breasts and crossing over both shoulders in a satiating, squeezing knot behind my back. I feel so held, my body buzzing with blissful warmth.

My eyes droop shut as Remington circles me to assess his work. “Thank you.”

“You’re doing so well, baby girl. I’m trying not to look too closely so I can have the effect of rushing up to find you in our scene, but just your softened lips are doing wild, dangerous things to my poor heart.”

Biting back a smile, I open my eyes to find Remington’s tender stare. Stooping to plant a leisurely, cushy kiss on my mouth, he flips my heart three times over.

“I feel spoiled already,” I whisper.

Remington hums through a smile. “Good. What’s the safeword, baby?”

“Alligator.”

“Good girl.” Fetching three more ropes for simple ties around my thighs, ankles, and wrists, Remington completes our preparations. “I’ve got you the whole way through. We can stop anytime - and I want you to use that word. Don’t hold back for me, even if I’m about to come.”

“Okay. I’d be happy to stop whenever you need to too, even if I seem like I’m having the time of my life.”

Remington chuckles. “Thank you, sweet girl. Are you feeling nervous at all?”

With my thighs squished together tight, I take a deep breath, allowing Remington to pull and prod my loose muscles as he gathers my wrists together, completing my final bindings. “I was, but now that I have you here against me, I feel really good.”

Dark, curious eyes zip to mine as Remington hugs my bound wrists to his chest, dropping his chin to kiss my knuckles. “That makes me feel even better too. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“I’m going to lift you, baby. Okay?”

I smile. “Okay.”

Easing me into his arms, Remington carries my bound body from his bathroom, settling me softly on my feet at his open bedroom doorway. Candlelight from his dresser flickers off his tattoos, creating an animated illusion with the sharp, black illustrations.

Hopping one step forward, I line myself beneath the pull-up bar secured over Remington’s doorway, ready to secure my wrists over it.

Remington’s hand trails over my lower back as he side-steps past me, sending a shiver up my spine. He keeps mere inches between us, his even, warm breath sweeping over my bare skin as he tests and re-tests the pull-up bar for stability.

But he looks startlingly serious.

“Are you okay, Rem?” I whisper. “Do you feel ready?”

He hums. “Very. But I feel like I need to reiterate something.”

“Okay, absolutely.”

Slowly extending my wrists over my head, Remington gazes deep into my eyes. “It might seem like on the outside that I’m holding all the power and control over you right now, but I want to be clear about why.” Hooking my wrists to the bar above us, Remington tugs my arms into a deep, tingling stretch. “You’ve gifted that control to me for the night. Any power I hold over you now is still yours. It will always be yours. And it’s hard to explain just how beautiful it is that you’ve trusted me to hold it for tonight.”

My heartbeat pulses wildly enough to thump into my ears. “Remington, I didn’t think I could ever play this out in real life. Thank you for being so patient in practicing to get me here, and accepting my secret fantasies in the first place. I’m so, so grateful to have a chance to do the same for you.”

Remington groans, giving me a hurried peck. “Good thing I get to come back to you in a second to ravish you. I better hurry and run away before either I kiss you dizzy or your arms get too tired.”

I laugh. “Should we start?”

“Yes. See you soon, baby girl.”

“See you, gorgeous knight.”

Remington’s footsteps fade down the hall behind me. I lower my weight until I hang by my wrists, closing my eyes to set myself in the mood.

This is a big scene we’ve worked on for a long time now. At first, we giggled while planning it together, but we grew far more serious as we developed a deeper, darker message beneath the scene to heal our hearts. In order for this scene to work, I have to begin by remembering the “evil dragon” who tortured me for 18 years, binding not only my body, but my soul.

A deep melancholy fills me, producing a spark of genuine anxiety in my chest at the thought of Dad grabbing my wrist again. I squirm a little against the rope around my wrists, pushing myself to feel even more of this fear - challenging my limits. Last month, I cried when Remington tied my wrists gently, but we gradually worked up until I could finally handle this scene.

I need to get this out. I’m ready.

A knight races down the hall right on cue, rushing toward me in the dungeon. I gasp, imagining the fear I feel every time I don’t know who is approaching my back.

“Who’s there?” I ask.

“Oh, Princess,” Remington breathes.

My heart lifts; I’d recognize the voice of my long-lost lover anywhere. “Sir Remington, is that you?!”

“Yes, I’ve come to save you.” My knight in shining armor circles me, his hand on the small of my back. I squirm faster, desperate to reach him. He steps into my view with burning eyes, taking in my restrained form. Wild runes scour his body, far more than I remember him having in our youth: a sign he’s overcome numerous curses placed upon him on his journey to find me.

Sir Remington tugs on the ropes at my chest, jostling me with a single hand, but the ropes won’t budge. “My poor princess. What did that demonic dragon do to you?”

“He—” To my surprise, tears prick my eyes, stealing my breath.

Remington pauses, studying my face.

But I choke out my line.

“He hurt me,” I whisper. Remington’s forehead warps at my shaky words. “He burnt my skin, leaving a permanent mark on my back. Then he bound me. But that’s not the worst part: I’m stuck feeling his pain.”

He cups my cheeks, softening his voice. “I’m so sorry he did this to you, Princess. Thank you so much for telling me the truth.” My lip wobbles, and Remington catches my tears. “Tell me, what color is the candlelight beside us?”

He’s checking if I’m okay with continuing. I take a deep breath.

“It’s a beautiful green,” I whisper.

“Good - that’s what I see too. And that green is a good omen that I can rescue you even sooner. Just breathe through it for me, okay, Princess?”

I slowly exhale. “Okay, Sir.”

“You’re doing so well, sweet princess. Allow me to try to cut your restraints with my most blessed knife.”

Fuck, I finally did it; I made it past the worst part for me. Smiling in relief, I allow the leftover shakiness in my voice to give Remington an extra boost in his favorite kink. “Please save me, Sir Remington— Only my true love can. I’ve longed for you desperately.”

“Your true love is here. Keep breathing for me, Princess Lilibeth.”

He drops to one knee, skating his hand down my bare thighs, the fluid movement interrupted by the ropes squeezing my legs into bulging around them. His fingertips halt on the rope binding my ankles, pulling at it to test its strength. Whipping a knife from a holster strapped over his thigh, Remington slips its chilly blade between my ankles. I breathe faster through its suggested danger, but Remington’s hands smooth down the back of my thigh, pressing my skin to his mouth. His gentle lips shoot pleasure up my legs, swirling between them.

Remington stands, lowering his voice. “My sweet Princess, I’m afraid there’s dark magic sealing these ropes, and I don’t know the spell to release you.”

“I do, Sir,” I breathe.

Glancing up at my red hands, Remington slips both arms beneath my ass, lifting me to give my taut arms a break. Blood rushes back into my hands, pushing heavy, relieved gasps from my lips.

Holding me against his chest, Remington softens his voice. “You do? Then please, Princess, tell me how I can save you. I’ll do anything.”

Our noses brush over each other, fluttering my heart. I stray from our scene to press a long, sultry kiss into Remington’s lips. He purrs, adjusting his arms beneath me to allow one hand a massaging squeeze of my ass.

Once the heat of our lips trickles to my groin, I break our kiss. “Sir Remington, I’ve saved myself for you, and the dragon desires a virgin’s blood. Defile me. Make me worth nothing.”

That line strikes my heart harder than I expected it would, carrying shame I’ve had placed on me my whole life; the longer I’ve dated Remington, the more I’ve realized I viewed my main purpose as a girlfriend was to supply sexual pleasure. But this pleasure also carries taboo, warping me into an unholy, wicked creature no matter how “pure” or “impure” I make myself.

But if I’m an inherently vile creature, Remington stands at the gates of hell with me, ready to face all wrath. That line also means what I want it to for our relationship: I chose Remington to take more firsts from me, including enacting this private fantasy. And he has welcomed all of my flaws and secrets with open arms.

Both of us breathe hard and fast, our air mixing between our gaping lips. Remington kisses me again, but this time, it’s because he’s nervous to say his line.

Beyond the main storyline we’re sticking to, we improvise our role plays to keep them fresh. But there are a few lines in particular we’re sure to mention: for Act One, there’s “I’ve come to save you,” “He hurt me,” “Save me,” “Defile me,” and Remington’s final line in this act. The one he’s holding me higher for, knowing my arms can’t take it if he waits too long.

But as he settles my toes back on the ground, he looks me in the eyes. “If these are his wicked tricks, then perhaps I understand this spell better than I believed. After all, I’ve fought my own dragons to meet you here.”

My heart shreds at the quiet, strained tone of his voice. I still don’t know who his other dragon was - other than his last ex - but I don’t need to know. I’m happy to help him through this in any way I can.

I breathe out the pain in my heart. “Sir Remington, I’d never wish this on you.”

He bites his lips. After a hard swallow, he kisses me softly. “It’s alright now; I’ve made it through. And now I can use everything I’ve learned to rescue you in whichever way it takes.”

We did it. We made it to Act Two.

“But I dare not defile you, Princess. I’ll love you with my seed, so the only thing I’ll defile is your dragon’s fun. You’ll be worth nothing to him, but everything to me.”

I bite back a smile. That wasn’t planned, but I love it. Maybe I can get creative too. “Then, Please, Sir. These ropes are bound over my heart. I only wish for them to be released by you, my true love.”

A smoldering flicker in Remington’s eyes sets my nerves ablaze. “They are bound over your heart, aren’t they? That simply won’t do. I’ve made a silent vow to take care of that heart of yours.”

Remington stoops before me, sweeping his hands down my restrained form. The cool, cheap fabric of my tiny dress chills my burning abdomen, but the heat of Remington’s palms sears me once he reaches my compressed thighs, giving them rough squeezes. I squirm beyond my control as tingles race up my body.

The pressure of my arms being pulled taut is working its magic on my core again. I droop my weight a little deeper, squeezing my knees together to rub my clit.

Just watching me squirm, Remington purrs like he swallowed a mouthful of something delicious. His hands skate back up, flicking the flimsy skirt that barely covers my pussy. As he meets my eyes again, his fingers trace the ropes tied beneath my breasts. “Are you sure you wish to give yourself to me?”

“Yes, Sir Remington. You’re my hero.”

His dark eyes flicker from my words. I planned that myself, hoping it’d break his cool.

With a shaky breath through his nose, Remington steps closer. I hang frozen, awaiting whatever he decides next; Act Two only ends once I tell Remington I can’t bear hanging here any longer, requiring me to utilize our safeword. I’ll be gathering the courage to use it without overthinking - the most extreme “no” I could give him during our scene - and in the meantime, I’ve given Remington full permission to tease, kiss, or penetrate me at any angle he’d like.

One second, he’s still. The next, he yanks the front of my dress, exposing both breasts. I yelp in surprise, followed by heavy, pleased breaths as Remington massages his thumbs over my bare, hardening nipples. Just his caressing touch on my breasts ripples buzzing pleasure down my abdomen, restarting my heartbeat; I’ve never been genuinely restrained to this level, adding a tremendous excitement to Remington’s every shift in touch. Especially as I stare into his fierce eyes.

Remington hums at my gaping lips. “Gorgeous, naughty girl. That feels good, doesn’t it?”

Leaning forward, I rub my breasts against his hands. “Y-yes, Sir Remington. Please, I want more of your hands on me.”

“Perhaps you’re not as pure as your dragon wishes. Have you ever touched yourself, Princess?”

I huff out sharp, panting breaths as his palms sweep faster, switching from dragging down my hips to brushing just above my pubic bone to heavier, pulsing massages over my bare breasts.

My voice comes out airy and weak as my core clenches. “Secretly. In my bedchambers.”

Remington purrs. Dragging his fingertips down the center of my torso, I flinch in delight when he lightly sweeps over my clit. Circling my body, he keeps his warm hands on me at all times - letting me feel how close he remains against me since I can’t turn my head to watch him. Each sweeping touch over my thighs, up my back, and down the curve of my ass heightens the goosebumps on my limbs. Wet heat pools between my legs.

When he grips my hip bones from behind, pulling my ass out behind me, my heart hammers faster. I know my skirt does nothing to cover me, rolling higher by the second. Whipping my panties down, Remington has to pause to peel their center off my soaked core. As my breath speeds, Remington’s low growl amplifies the tremendous tingles buzzing through my rapidly numbing arms. He drags his fingers down my exposed labia, rubbing a delighted jerk out of my hips.

“Naughty Princess. You’re absolutely soaked.” He clicks his tongue. “And here I planned to tease you over the edge first.”

Two of his fingers press into my pussy from behind. Sputtering out a gasp at how heavy the pleasure roots into my gut, I jerk on my restraints. The doorframe creaks in complaint, and we both look up.

I choke out an accidental giggle. “I-is it okay?”

Remington’s deep chuckle tickles my spine just before he kisses the back of my neck. “Yes. You’re safe. Even if it fell, I’d catch you.”

Plunging his fingers deeper, Remington spreads warmth over my bare upper back with his heavy breath. As he curls delicious pressure into my G-spot with thick fingers, I part my lips, forcing Remington to hold me steady as I thrust back into his touch. His erection bumps my squirming ass, hitching my breath; he’s wet too.

Shoving my skirt all the way up to my mid back, Remington exposes my full mark. “Does that feel good, Princess?”

As I lean into the stretch, fucking myself over his fingers while the rope pulls at my core, I release a soft moan through my exhale, closing my eyes. “So good, my knight.”

He hums, kissing just below my neck to send a thrill down my spine. “I thought so. You feel ready for me– Look how deep I can stretch you.”

Adding a third finger, Remington glides deeper, dragging right over my G-spot until his knuckles squish into my ass. I choke out a moaning breath, my legs shaking from how desperately my body wants to spread my tied legs for him.

But as he curls his fingers a few more times, spurring heartier moans from me, I’m surprised by how eagerly I thrust my hips back for more. Remington breathes hard behind me. Soft, slick sounds separate from the ones he’s creating inside me tell me he’s stroking himself in preparation for me.

I twist through the burn in my arms, my pussy gripping his fingers beyond my control. “Sir, you’re– You’re about to make me come too soon–”

Hooking his hand around my hips, Remington pulses one set of fingers inside me, and the other set stroking in every direction over my clit. Pleasure strikes me so deep that I hop, my lungs heaving in time with each penetrative curl of his fingers. My moan escapes as more of a small yell, shocking even me.

“Fuck, yes, Princess. That was hot as hell. Keep going.”

As Remington pulses faster, I hang lower, bucking my hips back over him. The raging fire in my arms makes me lightheaded enough to quiver on the edge, presenting my ass higher for deeper attention.

Just before I come, Remington’s fingers slip from me, replaced by his hot, stiff shaft. He plunges deep in one thrust, pushing a harsh gasp from me.

Remington groans. “Fuck, you’re squeezing me so hard–”

With one wet hand smashing my ass into him and the other hooking around my hips to swirl around my clit, Remington spurs me into frantic, gasping moans. The pull-up bar groans in complaint as I wriggle over Remington’s shaft, but neither of us cares about it this time, pleasure crawling up my belly until my climax spills over. I melt into his thrusts, all my weight carried by my wrists. I’m whining through every breath, but I cry out in delight as Remington softly pats my clit in time with his rapid thrusts, extending my orgasm.

“Good girl, Princess, keep–” He moans alongside me. “Keep going.”

I’ve never been this loud, but the sound of my own voice echoing off Remington’s walls doubles the thrill of how I imagine I must look - wrapped up just for him. His delicious, heavy strokes inside me slow with my shaking, exhausted breaths.

Remington drags his hands over my lower belly, stepping closer with a low purr. “God, you did so fucking well, Princess.”

His words inspire a hard squeeze over his cock, forcing him to grunt. But now that he made me come as hard as I could, pain bursts through my arms, no longer numb from pleasure.

For a second, I hesitate. Is this pain bad enough to use our safeword for? Is it really okay to stop him? Maybe I can bear it.

But as Remington hugs me closer, slowing his hips into tender nudges, another blast of pleasure between my legs conflicts with my worries. I want to enjoy this with him, but I can’t.

Wait, of course my pain is enough reason to stop. That’s the whole reason why we planned the scene like this.

Even after validating myself, my heart screams through anxiety; I’m still hardwired to fear a no’s wrath.

I’m hardly able to speak up, my voice quivering. “Sir Remington, I-I see an alligator outside.”

Remington freezes. “ Good girl . What a good, good job.” His hands zip to my wrists, pulling them a bit higher to unhook them. I whimper at the deeper stretch, but Remington coos behind my head. “Keep breathing, baby girl. Bear with it for me for one more second– You’ve got this–”

I wince, stretching as high as I can with my limp, blood-drained arms. It’s just enough for Remington to be able to shove the rope off the hook, gasping with me as my arms drop against my thighs with a thud.

“You did it,” Remington rasps, frantically squeezing life back into my arms. I drop back against him, heaving my breaths to the ceiling as I shudder through the buzzing pain of my blood returning to my limbs. As he steps even closer, bending to hug his hips tight against my pelvis, his deep flex inside my core shocks my breath out of me.

Now that I said “no,” having him inside me feels ten times as delicious.

“Oh, Rem– I-I want more.”

“Yeah? You feel okay for Act Three?”

“Yes,” I breathe. “I feel so close to you.”

Turning over my shoulder, I meet Remington’s wild, dark eyes. He sweeps his palms down my breasts and belly as he presses a deep kiss into my lips, fluttering my pussy over him. His delighted purr flips my heart.

Breaking our kiss, Remington stares me down with a sultry grin. “You broke the spell on one of your bindings, Princess, but now it’s my turn. Bend over.”

Squeezing my wrists to my chest hardly stifles the thrill Remington just shot through me. But as I bend at the waist, his hand settles around the knot behind my upper back, gripping utter control over my torso with a single palm.

My jaw drops; he lifts me just enough to pull my ass flush against him, burying himself deeper than he has yet. Except with such a tight knot around the front of my chest and a tender, slow press directly into my G-spot, he’s giving my heart the deepest hug I’ve ever felt. I roll through the pleasure flaming low in my belly, allowing it to spill from my open lips.

After reflecting on the fear within my back and wrist injuries, the pure bliss Remington kneads into my core from tying me up startles rapid gasps from me.

“Oh, Princess,” Remington breathes. “Are you okay? I’ve never heard you like this.”

“I— love you,” I gasp, unable to speak another word as my eyes flutter shut.

Remington hums, pulling me closer with a sharper tug. My body is so loose for him that I roll into him, my ass mushing against his hips. He sweeps gentle pressure over the sensitive scar tissue on my lower back, introducing a cascade of shivers through my chest. I shudder through them aloud, peeking at Remington over my shoulder.

His dark irises stare back between deep, pleased blinks. The sight of Remington indulging in himself over me, his hands squishing firmer into my skin as his chest heaves in bliss, flexes me over him tighter.

But as he applies harder pressure to my chest, yanking me tight against his rocking hips, he moans in time with me, opening his eyes to meet mine. “I love you so much.”

An intensifying buzz sweeps my body - just in time for Remington to bend over with me, hugging me around the hips. He smushes heavy palms over my sides and breasts, fluttering my eyes shut with how cuddled I feel. Keeping our hips bound, Remington pulses deep pressure into my lower belly rather than slipping in and out of me. Each little nudge of his shaft massages every inch of my pussy, spilling such heavy tingles over my whole body that my nipples harden.

Remington is close, and I’ll never get over the sweet, giddy rush I get from his tell; he always huddles into me as close as he can just before he comes, desperate to kiss me. With his chin tucking against my shoulder, I lift my bound wrists just enough to touch the edge of his jaw. Through our colliding lips, we moan in time to Remington’s slowing, deepening thrusts, his hard breath shaking through his nose.

He breaks our kiss to wrap one arm around my hips and the other around my chest, gripping the knot over my sternum as hard as he can before curling me tight into his chest. Cuddled from all angles, I cry out in bliss. With my pussy flexing rapidly over him, Remington’s grip grows tighter. His lips open against mine, and he shudders through a heavy orgasm, nearly toppling us over as his cum floods the space between my thighs. Righting us with a quick tug on the ropes on my back, Remington delivers such delicious friction that I wriggle beneath him.

“Remington–”

“Oh, you were such a good girl for me. Lean into it, baby.” He heaves through heavy breaths, shocking my nervous system with a tender rub over my mark. As he grabs my hips in both hands, Remington tilts my core to reach as deep as he can, each speeding stroke rubbing fuzzy pressure over my G-spot. Fluid gushes down my legs at the extra massage.

“Yes, there you go. Picture it for me, baby girl. Picture us loosening these ropes around your heart, freeing you to express every side of you these dragons say is shameful.”

My heart pounds wildly as I do as I’m told, imagining my heart opening with each crash of our hips. I moan from my gaping jaw as Remington smooths his thrusts, meeting my shaking thighs with rolling tenderness. As I quiver on the edge, my knees threatening to buckle beneath intense pleasure, Remington rushes to keep me upright, hugging me as hard as he can. With his arms locked around me in a tight embrace, each rub over my G-spot spills over in a sugary, blossoming warmth, my fluid splashing between my thighs as I come. Remington’s soft kisses against my cheek throb loving pulses through my heart, carrying me through my orgasm in an overwhelming mix of emotions.

By the time Remington has massaged me into a breathless, mushy ball, he can’t speak either. Shaky hands rush to untie my legs, leaving me desperate to turn around and see his sweet face.

“I’ve got you–” Remington rasps, hastily yanking the knot loose around my wrists.

As I groan through the sudden freedom, Remington grips my hips, slipping himself out of me. We both gasp as a combination of our fluids spill from me, but Remington swoops in to lift me.

“Oh, sweet baby girl–”

Settling me on the bed, Remington swipes a towel over my soaked thighs with frantic, rough precision. But the second I see his eyes rimmed in red, I throw my arms around his neck, kissing him hard.

Remington clings to my back, sucking in sharp, shaky breaths through the start of fresh tears. I stroke his head, unable to grip enough of him. I’m still bound over my chest, but I don’t realize it until he grabs a fistful of the knot on my back, squeezing my ribcage to push a flood of loving, cuddly pleasure through my chest. My muscles soften, drooping me against him, and Remington hums.

“I’m so fucking proud of you.”

I whimper at how raw his voice sounds. “I’m so proud of you , Rem. I feel so soft with you.”

Remington gasps over me, cupping my cheeks. We stroke each other’s heads and cheeks, staring into each other’s eyes. I didn’t expect to feel this emotional with him after this scene, but I can’t get over how deeply trusting he was of me - and how safe he helped me feel in one of my most vulnerable moments.

As we clean and massage each other, Remington and I take a long time to slow our breaths. We peel our sweaty costumes from each other, interlocking sweaty, naked limbs on top of Remington’s bed.

Remington’s considerate fingers smooth delicate pressure down my sore wrists and thighs. “How are you feeling now?”

“Good,” I whisper. “A bit more grounded. What about you?”

“I’m still floating a little. I probably will be forever.”

I laugh, pressing a lazy kiss into his mouth. Our lips remain locked for a few breaths, inhaling each other’s air before pulling away to resume looking into each other’s eyes.

“You’re not going to want to release me so I can ice you, huh?” Remington grins. I giggle, shaking my head, and he chuckles. “Then let’s go over what we liked, and what we’d like to do differently next time.”

I bite my lip, unable to contain a smile at the thought of there being a next time. That we could continue to play and heal like this as long as we wish. But as I skate my fingertips through Remington’s sweaty hair, I know exactly what I’d like better.

“I’d like to see your eyes more next time,” I whisper. “I felt like my heart was in it even more whenever our eyes met behind my shoulder - when you bent over to kiss me to tell me without words that you were enjoying yourself. It made me feel extra connected to you.”

Remington freezes. It’s only after I give him a few quick squeezes down his arms that he resumes his gentle touches over my back. “I didn’t know you understood that so clearly, but I– I feel really seen. So taken care of.”

My heart lifts above the bed, holding him there with me. “I’m so happy to hear that.”

He blinks through a giddy, touched smile, snuggling in even closer. “And, L.L.B., I have to say– I really loved that you could say ‘no’ to me. I know you might still see it as an inconvenience for me to have to stop, but to be honest, you saying ‘no’ actually makes me feel way more relaxed that I really do have your consent.”

I’m stunned silent. My heart restarts as I blink, piecing together everything he just told me. I knew saying “no” was necessary for my own safety, but I never thought so clearly about how it grants Remington his. What I perceived as rejecting him was actually protecting his sense of security. My “no” doesn’t hinder him; it rescues him.

My heart tumbles over itself as Remington massages my sore wrists, quieting his breath as he gives me room to process. But the more he applies gentle, loving pressure there to replace the hurt my dad caused me, the more I crave feeling Remington all over me.

“I miss the feeling of being held up by you. It was so nice,” I whisper.

Remington breaks into a massive grin. “God, I’m so fucking happy to hear you telling me what you like so openly these days. Come here, baby.”

Balling me up on the bed against his chest, Remington snuggles me into his bare skin before draping his fluffy blankets over our cooled, damp bodies. As he nestles me into the deepest sleep I’ve ever experienced, it’s with the knowledge that someone in this life has seen more of me than I knew I had within me, unraveling it for both of us to see. I hope he feels just as safe.