Grant seemed tounderstand, because he grinned and pulled Carter in to snuggle against hischest. Carter sighed and curled up against the big man. God, he loved the wayGrant could wrap himself around him. It was like curling into a big, naughty teddybear.
One with very wickedintentions.
Hands wandering upand down Carter’s back in a slow, soothing motion, Grant cleared his throat.Carter wasn’t sure if the Dom needed time to think or just to figure out how tosay what was on his mind, but Carter wasn’t in any hurry.
When Grant spoke,his voice was low and even. Carter could feel the vibrations of the Dom’s voicethrough his chest. It was soothing, like listening to a cat purr. “We haven’tspoken much about the fact that I’m a Dom. I know you’re aware of that becauseyou’ve spent time around everyone else, but I thought you might have somequestions.”
Carter nodded butdidn’t say anything. He wasn’t sure where to start.
Grant paused for amoment, but kept going when Carter didn’t speak. “I don’t need something lifestyleor even submission all the time in the bedroom, but I come across a bitstronger in sexual situations, so I couldn’t say that I’m ever vanilla.”
“I get that,” Cartermanaged to comment, and pushed forward more. “You said you like playing in theclub.”
“Yes.”
“How much playingat the club? I’ve never been, but Wyatt’s told me stuff and I’m not sure…” Hisnerve started to fail, but Grant seemed to understand where he was going.
“We’d never doanything you weren’t comfortable with. The first couple of times we went, Iwouldn’t even think of participating in a scene. I’d want you to watch and seehow it felt. Give you a chance to get comfortable. Just going will feel weird,and there’s no reason to rush.”
“But if I neverwant to do anything there?” Carter couldn’t even begin to guess how it would feel.He didn’t want to make any promises that he couldn’t keep, but he also didn’twant to ignore the possibility that he’d actually enjoy it.
Rock, meet hardplace.
Grant didn’t evenpause to think. “That would be fine with me—as long as I get to show you off insomething sexy to make everyone jealous.”
Carter would havelaughed, but he could hear the seriousness in Grant’s voice. The fact that theDom thought other people would be jealous and not shocked was sweet. “I think Ican deal with that.”
Maybe.
He’d try for Grant,but even thinking about having other people see him while he was dressed up hadhis stomach turning in knots. “Just not show offtoomuch.”
Grant laughed butdidn’t make any promises. “From the little you’ve said about the lifestyle, I knowyou’re curious but haven’t seriously dated anyone who was into it.”
Carter nodded, notsure if Grant wanted a real response. That seemed to please the Dom, because hegave a satisfied grunt and tightened his arms around Carter. “How muchfirst-hand knowledge of BDSM do you have? Have you ever been spanked or tiedup?”
There was no wayto hide the shiver that raced through him when Grant started listing off theoptions. Grant chuckled but didn’t say anything. Carter wasn’t going to wussout, even though killing spiders in the house sounded like more fun thanadmitting it out loud.
“I don’t havepersonal experience with either, but I’m not opposed to trying. I’m also notsure about my pain tolerance. But I’ve read scenes in books, and Wyatt oversharesabouteverything,so I’ve gotten more exposure than most people whoaren’t involved in the lifestyle.” Pleased that he’d managed a real sentencethat made sense, Carter felt some of his nerves settle. Talking to Grant wasn’tas hard as he’d thought it would be.
“Have you everseen a contract?”
Not sure where theconversation was going, Carter kept his answer short. “No.”
“Well, one of theparts is usually a list of activities and limits. How about next time I comeover, I bring over my list so you can go through it and see what catches youreye? I can answer questions, or you can look stuff up online before we talkabout it, whichever you prefer.” Grant made it sound like they were talkingabout a grocery list, not a list of BDSM activities.
It was logical,though, and Carter thought it was nice that Grant had obviously put some thoughtinto it. “Okay.”
“I can deal withthe short answers, beautiful, but do you not know what to say or are youoverwhelmed?” Grant was clearly trying not to laugh—he was losing the battle.
“Both?” Carterhadn’t meant to give him another short answer, and he chuckled. “Sorry. Alittle of both, probably. It’s a lot to take in.”
“I can see yourbrain going a hundred miles an hour, but you’re only letting a little out.”
Grant didn’t sayit like it was a bad thing, but Carter felt the need to apologize. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be.” Grant shiftedto give Carter a kiss on his forehead. “We’re still figuring things out.”
“Okay.” Cartertook a deep breath. “How about I try to open up more?”
