No Strings Attached by Erin Lark Page A

not as revealing as the silk teddy I had lying around.
    I opened the door, using it to shield myself from anyone else who may pass in the hall. Thayre wore a similar outfit to what he'd had on during practice, and remembering the way he directed the other musicians, my mouth watered.
    His eyes were focused, as intense as they always were, and after an eternity, he let himself in and—froze. I closed the door and locked it, but I didn't miss the up-down sweep of his eyes or the ghost of a smile on his lips.
    He cleared his throat and, very casually, strode toward the sofa.
    I joined him moments later, keeping that single cushion of space between us.
    His eyes focused on the hands in his lap, but when he looked at me, something had definitely changed. The air crackled with the tension surrounding us, and I broke eye contact.
    “Are you sure you still want to do this?” Thayre said, his voice even.
    “I am.” It's all I've thought about.
    He took my chin between his thumb and forefinger, lifting it until I met his gaze. “When I ask you a question, I want you to look at me and answer truthfully. Now, are you still okay with what we talked about yesterday?”
    “I am.”
    He released my chin and folded one leg under the other. “Before we begin, there are a few ground rules we should cover. That said, I assume it's safe to say talking about your ex would make you uncomfortable.”
    “Yes.”
    “Can we discuss past circumstances?”
    “How do you mean?”
    “Well, what did your past Doms use as safe words?”
    You mean when he actually took his role seriously? “Red and yellow.”
    “Okay, so they're the same as mine. I'm also guessing those words have meanings similar to my own. For me, yellow is to slow down and check in on you. This is something I like my sub to use if she needs to change positions or is having any discomfort. Using red stops everything completely, not only what we're doing, but whatever I had planned for the evening gets set aside so we can review what may have triggered you. That way it doesn't happen again. Do you understand?'
    “Yes.”
    “Do you have any hard limits? Something you won't do.”
    “Orgasm control and denial.”
    “Is that something you'd be willing to work on or—”
    “Not up for debate.”
    “Seems fair, but with one condition of my own—you tell me when you're getting close so I can either push you harder or back off. And while this might not be any of my business, you mind telling me why it's one of your limits?”
    “It was abused, and I'd rather not get into it.”
    He nodded, and the subject was dropped. “Anything else? Choking, blood play, that sort of thing?”
    I shrugged. “Never really did them, so it's hard for me to say.”
    “Which is also understandable. With that out of the way, would you be adverse to vibrators, butt plugs, exhibition or anything along those lines?”
    My cheeks burned. “Umm, my experience is kind of limited.” A lot more limited than I realized.
    “We'll play by ear, then. Now, a lot of what you might be used to won't happen right away. Even though I know you're familiar with the lifestyle, you've never subbed under me. Yes, you've been submissive, but you haven't given up your control. We'll go as fast as I feel is necessary. This isn't up for debate. We'll go at my pace, and I'll only push your boundaries when I feel it's necessary and when I know you're ready. Do you have any questions?”
    “No, I think that about covers it.”
    “Then from this point on until I say we're done, you're to address me as 'Sir.' You'll speak when spoken to unless a safe word is needed, do as I ask, but no more than that. If I ask you to suck me, I expect you on your knees with your hands behind your back. And when I ask a question, I need you to answer it promptly, truthfully, and loud enough so I can hear. Do you understand?”
    My clit throbbed at the mention of me on my knees, sucking his cock. Yes, please. “Yes, Sir.”
    He stood and