Huh?
Fuck.
Distraction.
“It’s not a distraction to be completely focused on my obsession, pretty bird.” I shrugged as he looked at me like I was ridiculous. “It’s just showing you how honest I’ve been.”
He didn’t seem to know what to say to that, so I shrugged and kept teasing him. “Some things you just know are right the first time you experience it, like BDSM or you or chocolate peanut butter ice cream. Some things you just know are meant to be.”
His lips were barely curling up at the edges as he tried not to laugh, but he quickly schooled his features back into that sexy frown. “Bird. Pretty birdie. Why don’t you ever call me by my name?”
His change of topic was interesting, but I let him without commenting on it. We both knew I’d been around the club long enough to learn it, but I was surprised he hadn’t guessed at least some of it.
“Because you haven’t said that I could use it.” When his head cocked, I smiled and explained. “No one there calls you by your name. You’re always that dancer or the dancer or that guy with the heels.”
Or that guy with the ass.
I thought that might be rude to point out, though.
“Even Niko doesn’t use your name that often.” And never his full name. “You’re even under the books in most places by your first initial, so you became birdie long before I ever knew your name.”
My pretty fascination was more than any one label.
He was amazing.
And a bit insane…but that was one of the things I loved about him.
Settling back in his chair, he studied me as he played with his glass. “I don’t like not knowing what to say.”
That was an understatement if I’d ever heard one.
“You don’t have to say anything. When you’re ready, you just let me know.” His trust issues were so wide they could be seen from outer space, so I wasn’t expecting miracles. “For now, we’re just getting to know each other and seeing what else there is between us besides explosive chemistry.”
That had the laughter filling his eyes again and the smirk was back. “Alright, Brass Man, tell me more about yourself.”
That was not unexpected.
“Should I ramble or is there anywhere you’d like me to start?” I was an open book to my birdie even if he hadn’t realized it yet.
He shrugged like he didn’t care but then quickly told me where to begin. “Why a BDSM club? Why not a more traditional business and a circle of friends to explore the…that lifestyle with?”
Something about the way he said it or his expression said he’d been reading up on BDSM.
“First, businesswise, it’s something that isn’t readily available in this area. There are dance clubs and gay bars, but nothing where it’s okay to have your partner kneel at your feet or where you can explore a fantasy without it getting out to everyone.” That got a chuckle from the sexy man and he nodded.
“Very true. What else?” He seemed genuinely curious, so I continued with a slightly rambling answer.
“That privacy aspect continues into there not being an area where it’s safe to explore that kind of stuff here. If you meet someone online or in a bar, there aren’t any safe places to go besides back to someone’s house. That’s dangerous.” Swallowing, I focused on the here and now as I answered him.
“I want somewhere that people can meet and get to know others who like the same thing and where they’ll know that the person in front of them has been vetted and there are others watching over them.” Not in a creepy way, but birdie’s nod said he hadn’t taken it that way.
“Nothing is going to be one hundred percent safe.” Even though I hated admitting that. “I know that’s not reasonable, even if I’m a bit of a control freak.”
His laughter and the way his smile sparkled said that wasn’t a surprise, but he didn’t tease me as he took a drink of his water and I continued to give him a peek inside my head. “But while two people are figuring out if they have chemistry and if they’re on the same page kink-wise, I want them both to know that if they safeword everything stops and someone will be there to watch over them.”
As he set the glass down again, his smile faded a bit as he went back to studying me. “Both of them, right? It’s not just the sub who could get hurt. He’s submitting but you already acknowledged he has the power in a healthy relationship. But he’s not the only one at risk.”
He was dancing around his question and hadn’t asked for specifics, but I nodded. “That’s correct. Doms, especially young ones, can get themselves into situations that they don’t know how to handle and some people aren’t as nice as they appear. Both sides of the relationship need to be protected and to feel safe.”
