Page 105 of Not Safe For Work

“Maybe tying you completely wasn’t the way we should’ve gone for your first time at a place like that, though.” I rubbed the side of his hand with my thumb. “In which case, I’m sorry. I should’ve taken it slower.”

“No.” He turned toward me. “It’s a learning curve. You’re still learning my limits, and maybe so am I.” He squeezed gently. “To be honest, if I got anything out of tonight, it’s the reinforcement that you’ll err on the side of caution. Maybe it was frustrating for both of us, but it’s good to know.”

I turned my hand over beneath his and laced our fingers together. “I’ll always err on the side of making sure you’re safe. Physically and mentally.”

“I know. I didn’t have any doubt before, but after tonight…” He smiled and leaned in for a brief kiss. Settling back on the pillow, he said, “This evening didn’t exactly go as planned, but in the long run, maybe it’s for the better.”

“I hadn’t thought of it that way.”

He half shrugged. “I didn’t either until after you brought me back to earth and helped me clear my head.” He paused. “And actually, the more I think about how tonight went and how much you did everything right to keep me from freaking out during or crashing after…” His eyes lost focus. “Tomorrow night…”

I ran the backs of my fingers down his arm. “Tomorrow night…?”

He took a breath. Locking eyes with me, he said, “I want to try hot wax.”

My heart skipped, and my hand twitched on his arm. “Seriously?”

He nodded. “I think I’m ready.”

“You think you’re—”

“I know I am.” He raised his eyebrows. “If you’re ready to go there.”

I regarded him silently. Was he ready? Was I ready?

“You know it’s painful, right?”

“Of course.” He grinned. “I heard that sub tonight.”

“True. And you know even if you safe-word and we stop, it won’t stop hurting right away?”

“Absolutely.”

Still, I hesitated, but as I remembered the look on his face while we’d watched the scene tonight, I broke out in goose bumps. Though I was uncertain, the fact remained that if it turned out he wasn’t ready, we could always stop. Tonight had proven we could bounce back after a scene ended abruptly.

Above all, it was what he wanted. And what was the purpose of a Dom if not to be the safe, trusted, responsible partner who existed to give the submissive what he wanted?

“All right.” I kissed his forehead. “Tomorrow night, you’re on.”

Rick just shivered.