“What about Landon?”
I shrugged. That was the part that confused me the most.
Kristen took a sip of her water when the waitress delivered it. “Let me ask you this. Being a submissive…is it something you want? On a permanent basis?”
Before I could answer, the waitress delivered our salads. I took a moment to consider my answer while we both started eating. I could feel Kristen watching me, knew she was waiting for my response.
“Okay, fine,” I huffed, putting my fork down and looking her in the eyes. “Yes. It’s what I want. I’ve spent the past couple of months getting my feet wet, learning from them. It appeals to me on a fundamental level. Until recently, I hadn’t even known that type of…relationship, I guess you could call it…even existed.”
“First and foremost, do you understand the terms safe, sane, and consensual?”
I felt it was a little late for her to be asking that now, but I answered with a resounding yes, anyway.
“I know I thrust you into this world and it probably caught you a little off guard. I just want to make sure you’re going into this with your eyes wide open.”
I nodded. “I am. They’re not moving fast by any means. Not where play is concerned. I’ve even filled out a limits list. It took a while and Langston actually made me go over it twice. I had several options for each and I even asked for more information.”
“That sounds like a very good start.”
“Oh, there’s definitely no pressure. Not from them, anyway. I’m putting on myself more than anything. What progress I’ve made has been by my own choice. And what I’ve been hesitant to ask them, I’ve searched on the Internet.” I widened my eyes. “Did you know there’s a wealth of information regarding the various kinks involved?”
Kristen chuckled. “I did know that. And I’m glad to see you’ve done some research. I commend you for that, but I wish you would’ve called me. At the very least answered my calls.”
“I was too embarrassed. I didn’t want you to judge me.” My eyebrows darted down. “And in case you don’t recall, I wasn’t even aware that you were into the lifestyle until I saw you on the freaking island.”
I could tell Kristen truly felt bad for the way things were handled. And honestly, I wasn’t going to hold it against her. In fact, now that I knew, I could bounce questions off her.
“I’m gonna sound like a real buzzkill right now,” Kristen said, her expression serious. “However, it’s important to know that you have to protect yourself first. No matter how much fun you’re having, if you’re ever in a situation that doesn’t feel comfortable to you, remove yourself.”
“I have a safeword,” I admitted.
“Good. But that’s only helpful when you have a Dom who will concede should you use it. Landon and Langston are good guys. I trust them. But…should you end up playing with someone else, you have to think about your own safety. If you ever have any questions, I want you to call me, Luci. I’ll help you as much as I can. And if you ever simply want to talk, I’m here, too.” She smiled. “Plus, I’d be more than happy to introduce you to a few more people. Good people like Landon and Langston, who are also into the lifestyle.”
I reached over and squeezed her arm. “Thank you so much. I really appreciate that, but it’s not necessary. I’m still trying to find my footing, but it’s been a great experience so far.”
Maybe not always rainbows and unicorns, but at the very least, it was an experience I knew I would never forget.
“However…” I offered a sinister grin. “I do have something that I need your help with.”
Twenty-Three
I WOKE UP EARLIER THAN usual on Thursday morning. I spent a little more time on my appearance, curling my hair and paying extra careful attention to my makeup. I donned a few pieces of my favorite jewelry, then put on the exact same outfit I’d worn on the first day they had introduced me to this new world of what I’d come to refer to as office intrigue. The off-white skirt, chocolate-brown sweater, and cowboy boots made me feel bold and I needed that today.
On the way into the office, I stopped at Starbucks and ordered coffee for myself and Jordan, then paid for the person behind me, wanting to give a little back today. Even with the detour, I arrived at the office at seven twenty. I went through and turned on all the lights, then unlocked all the doors after setting Jordan’s coffee on his desk. I grabbed a pen and drew a smiley face on a napkin and placed it beneath the cup. I wanted it to be there for him when he arrived.
