Lainey’s stomach swooped unpleasantly, her heart instantly kicking into a high gear. Naked? On her knees? Was he nuts?
He was regarding her with one eyebrow lifted. A sardonic smile ghosted his lips, as if daring her to refuse.
No way would she give him that satisfaction.
“Got it,” she replied, pleased her voice sounded steadier than she felt. Girding herself, she lifted her chin and resolutely entered the room. There was a small sofa in one corner, beside a counter with cabinets above it. A large, white plastic kitchen timer stood on the counter. Nearby was a portable rack filled with an array of floggers, whips and canes. In the center of the room was a large wooden suspension rack, cuffs dangling from chains attached to the sturdy center beam, a yoga mat set beneath it. The walls on either side of the room were mirrored from floor to ceiling.
“Holy shit,” Lainey whispered, hugging herself. She glanced back at the closed door. She wasn’t shy about her body, but being naked felt so…vulnerable.
“Come on,” she urged herself. “Just do it.”
This was about more than just engaging in some sexy edge play with someone new. She wanted to find out—she needed to find out—if BDSM was the thing that had been missing—the thing that would turn her life from bland to spicy hot.
It was now or never.
Thus resolved, she pulled her dress over her head and folded it up. Placing it by the door, she removed her bikini top and tossed it on top of the dress. Finally, heart pattering, she untied the bows on either side of her bikini bottoms and let them fall from her body. Recalling his directions, she added them to the little pile of clothing by the door.
She headed to the mat and lowered herself to her knees. Feeling slightly ridiculous, she put her hands on the top of her head, lacing her fingers together. She glanced sideways at herself in the mirror. Her body was strong and toned. She’d taken to shaving her pubic area because Ian had liked it, and had remained in the habit of keeping it smooth. Her breasts, while not quite as large as she would have liked, were firm and round. She would do just fine, thank you.
She felt jittery as she waited for Cooper to enter the room. What was he doing out there, anyway? The same nervous butterflies she faced when entering a Jiu Jitsu competition were fluttering in her gut. She knew how to focus and relax herself before a match—she would do the same now.
Closing her eyes, she consciously uncoiled the tension in her muscles. She drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. She wouldn’t overthink things. She wouldn’t anticipate. She would trust Cooper, and herself.
Her nipples stiffened, her clit pulsing softly between her legs as she contemplated what was to come. She was nervous, yes. But she was also deeply excited. She wanted this, whatever it entailed. And she wanted it with Cooper.
“Bring it on,” she whispered, lifting her chin.
Then the door opened.
Chapter 8
Cooper stopped just inside the room, closing the door behind him. His cock leaped to rigid attention at the sight of Lainey kneeling in the center of the room, hands on her head, her dark pink nipples fully erect, her eyes properly downcast. Her chest was rising and falling, her lips compressed into a thin line of anxiety.
Naturally, she was nervous. Cooper appreciated the tremendous trust it took for a sub, especially one as inexperienced as Lainey, to strip naked and wait in a room for her Dom to enter. But he also understood how effective it could be in easing her into a submissive headspace, and making her more receptive to what was to come.
Recalling their time limit, he went over to the counter and twisted the kitchen timer dial, setting it for the fifty-five minutes they had left. As it began to tick, he approached Lainey, pleased she kept her head down as he’d instructed.
Crouching in front of her, he took her face gently into his hands, lifting it until their eyes met. Without saying anything, he lowered his head to kiss her.
Her lips parted softly. He slipped his tongue into her mouth, which was warm and sweet. She started to lower her hands from her head. He pulled back just long enough to say, “No, Lainey. Don’t move out of position. Not until I give you permission.”
With a minute nod, she relaced her fingers on top of her head. He kissed her a while longer, his balls aching with lust. Standing again, he lightly tapped her shoulder. “You may drop your arms and stand up. We’re going over to the couch now. It’s time for your spanking.”
Lainey rose gracefully, her eyes wide with trepidation. “Cooper,” she said a little breathlessly. “I’m nervous. What if I can’t do this? What if I hate it?”