“What do you mean by casual? I can acceptboundaries, but if you’re looking to date other people or scene with otherDoms, then I think staying friends would be the best plan.” I could always usemore friends, but that wasn’t what I’d pictured with Warner.
I just wasn’t sure he’d be satisfied withwhat I had to offer.
“I’m not looking to see other people. Ihaven’t dated in months and there’s no one else I’ve been drawn to. I just havea lot going on, and up until recently I was working two jobs.” Thank God thatwas over.
“Right now, I have one or two nights a weekfree, and what I need more than anything is to escape reality.” I was trying tosound laid back so he wouldn’t ask too many questions, but he shifted and hisbody language said he was thinking more seriously.
“You’re safe? I can respect yourboundaries, but only if I know you’re not in danger.” The look on his face andthe set of his shoulders said my not being safe was a deal-breaker. It wassweet.
“I promise I’m safe. I just had severalunexpected bills and some family drama I don’t want to go into.” I needed atleast one place that didn’t remind me of death and struggle. “But the bills arepaid off and there isn’t anything to worry about.”
I might not want to talk about it, but Ididn’t want him to worry.
Warner nodded, playing with the crust ofhis pizza. “But you have a safe place to live, and aside from needing to submit,you don’t need anything?”
His expression said he wasn’t going to moveon until he was satisfied.
It was such a Dom thing to do, I had tofight the urge to kneel for him. “Yes, Sir. All I need is a safe place tosubmit and…and a friend, but more than that?”
There was no way I had the energy or timeto devote to a full relationship, but a Dom with benefits who could besatisfied with my schedule…well, I could make that work.
Somehow.
Warner was still studying me, and I had towonder how I’d missed this side of him before. “If I’m understanding everythingyou’ve said, you’re looking for something exclusive but casual in the sensethat you don’t have a lot of time to devote to a relationship. You also want tosubmit, but you don’t have a lot of experience in the lifestyle. Is thatcorrect?”
Nodding as I watched his steady expression,I felt more at ease when he didn’t immediately tell me he wasn’t interested.“Yes, that’s correct.”
But the way he said it sounded veryone-sided.
“I know that sounds kind of selfish, and ifyou don’t want someone who can’t make promises, I understand.” It would suck,but he deserved more than what I could give him…though I wasn’t ready to walkaway.
I wasn’t sure what kind of person that mademe, but I wasn’t going to make Warner’s decisions for him. I might notunderstand everything about the lifestyle, but I knew enough to be confidentthat a Dom wouldn’t want me deciding what he needed in life.
Warner eventually looked away, reaching foranother slice and probably giving himself a few seconds to think. As he finallyseemed to come to some sort of conclusion, he set the food down on his plateand looked up at me.
“First of all, I think you sound honest,not selfish.” He raised one eyebrow and gave me a firm stare that made mesquirm in my seat.
“Yes, Sir.”
Oh yeah, that felt too right to question.
“Very good.” Taking a sip of his water, hepulled back the aura that said he wasn’t going to put up with my nonsense. “Whatis your schedule this evening? When do you need to go back to your regularduties?”
That question had my face heating up again.“I don’t have to be anywhere until eight tomorrow morning.”
Then I started to second-guess how that hadcome out. “Not that I’m saying I should stay here until then. You just made itsound like I should be very thorough. Was that—”
“Ridley.” Warner’s firm tone halted therambling answer, which I was grateful for. “I always want a thorough answer.You did very well.”
The relief and pleasure that shot throughme probably should’ve been reserved for orgasms, but just knowing I made himhappy sent sparks of sensations through me. “Thank you, Sir.”
That earned me another smile from Warner,but his expression looked less sweet and more erotic, especially with the wayhis fingers were slowly trailing around the edge of the plate like he wastouching something a lot less innocent than dinnerware.
While his subtle smile sent sparks throughme, it was his words that hit low in my body. “After dinner, we’re going to sitdown and discuss limits for tonight as well as limits in general. We’re alsogoing to go over a list of things you’re open to trying, as well as things thatare off-limits.”
I wasn’t sure if he needed a response as hetalked, but I just answered instinctively. “Yes, Sir.”
Limits were the first steps toward actuallydoing something…right?
