Page 37 of Love Lessons

He pulled back just far enough to sign, his thigh still between hers. If I go home with you, you’re going to follow the rules.

He didn’t quite know where this was coming from, this newfound confidence and power and ownership. But he knew what he needed, and had a guess of maybe what she needed too. And if he had to make it sexual, to make it a scene, he would.

And God, did it feel good.

If we do this, I’m going home with you now. We’re going to spend the day together. If you have plans, you can cancel them, or I’ll go with you. Got it?

Lena shook her head slowly, eyes unfocused, and then nodded. He narrowed his eyes.

Yes. I agree, but I don’t understand.

No more avoiding me. Also, you are going to go over your calendar with me. We’re not getting engaged or anything, but if we’re going to do this, I expect to see you sometimes when we’re not at the munch. Understand?

Yes.

Good. Because we’re not going to wait a month next time. Even if we’re friends with benefits, we’re going to at least be friends. And I’m taking you out somewhere. You can call it hanging out or you can call it a date, but we’re going to spend at least one evening together where we don’t have sex. Because that’s what I can offer. Take it or leave it. Do you think you can do that?

Those beautiful gray eyes grew stormy and Dustin wondered if he’d pushed too far. But was it really too much to want to spend a few evenings together? To be friends with someone you were doing something so intimate with, even if it was only for lessons?

Lena searched his face, almost confused. He wanted to help her feel better, but he wasn’t going to let her out of this. OK, fine, she finally signed.

He pressed against her then, rewarding her and giving himself what he wanted. He kissed her deeply, angling her head and thrusting his tongue into her mouth until she was panting. He could feel how hard she was against his thigh, and he rubbed against the flowing fabric of her dress just to hear her moan.

God, it was tantalizing, knowing that just that thin scrap of fabric lay between them.

Then he stepped back. Thank you for agreeing to that, he said simply. Where’s your car?

She led him over to her vehicle and he made a show of opening her door and fastening her seatbelt. He leaned over to add one more thing. Don’t forget, you still owe me for cancelling on me. I’m going to follow you home, and then you have a lesson coming to you.

He closed her door and walked over to his own car. Now that he wasn’t commanding Lena, his thoughts tumbled over one another.

Was he doing the wrong thing? He couldn’t tell if he was pushing her too hard or stepping in where she needed someone. Was she just humoring him, or did she want this, too?

It didn’t help that Dustin didn’t know what he wanted himself. He was telling himself that he wanted the basic decency of a returned text message and the familiarity of a minimal friendship to underlie what was otherwise going to be a series of educational, but extremely vulnerable, encounters.

He didn’t want to get his hopes up for anything more. She’d set her own limits pretty plainly, and this was just a negotiation for a little bit more.

It didn’t help that he was still so new to everything. He was working on instinct, doing what he’d wanted to do in every past relationship when he had been told that he was too overbearing. It had been fucking hot, at least in his opinion.

He hoped Lena thought so, too. He knew from his reading that there were people who took their D/s relationships into the rest of their lives, but it seemed like there were a hell of a lot more who wanted it contained to the occasional scene. With Lena, he felt like this new, eager part of himself was just spilling out all over the place.

And if he guessed incorrectly here, he felt like he might be making an even bigger mistake than he’d made with Alan. He couldn’t bear realizing that he’d hurt his ex’s body without meaning to, but he got the sense that if he messed things up with Lena, he’d be hurting something much deeper.

It didn’t escape his notice that it took Lena a long time to leave the parking lot, too.

Chapter 7

Lena

Lena drove toward her house, barely noticing as she turned down familiar streets. Her mind was spinning, and she wished the drive were longer.

Nothing made any sense with Dustin. It was hot as fuck, of course, when he got all demanding and stern. And the way that he’d pinned her to the car, with his intentions and not a single touch, still had her out of her mind in need.

But what did he want? Everyone else was fine with hook-ups, and her previous training sessions had never felt like this. People probably don’t like being cancelled on, obviously, but she’d never had anyone demand that she have dinner with them.

She felt nervous and jittery now. The little commands, like looking over her calendar and spending an evening together, made her feel safe and wanted when he’d said it. But now that she had a little bit of space, it felt like the floor was falling out from underneath her. Could she trust it?

And what did it all mean?