“I know it does.” I let out a long sigh. “I also know Cree well enough to know he’s not like my father at all. He’s not the same as the other men who raped me—I know that. That doesn’t mean I have to like what he’s into.”
“You still asked for his help though, right? To, um...to meet with me?”
“I did. He’s the only person I ever saw you with, so it didn’t leave me a lot of choice. If you hung out with Ivan or Lynn, I would have talked to them, but you were always with Cree. Even if he wasn’t your usual rigger, Cree is the master rope guy around here. All the riggers go to him for instruction. I would have had to ask him for help learning rope so I could tie you. The only thing that might have changed is asking someone else to negotiate meeting with you.”
“You learned to tie from Cree?” Rocco asks.
“Mostly, yes. I also did a lot of online instruction and learned some basics from a few other riggers around here. I interviewed some rope bottoms, too. I wanted to find out what they were feeling and what I should look for when tying someone for the first time.”
“That was a lot of effort, wasn’t it?”
“You’re worth it.”
Rocco scoffs, and I grab his chin.
“You are worth it,” I say again, staring into his eyes. “I want to be with you, and I’ll do just about anything to get what I want, including playing nice with Cree. Hopefully, I won’t have to do that anymore.”
Rocco nods, and I release him. He presses his lips together. Considering what I just said, I realize what he must be thinking.
“But Cree is still your friend.”
“Yeah,” he whispers.
“And if we’re in a relationship, your friends are a part of that.”
“Are they?”
I pause as another realization hits me. This isn’t just a new relationship; it’s Rocco’s first relationship. He has never dealt with all the intricacies of being a couple, including how outside friends and relatives fit into it all. He’s going in completely blind, which means I have to be extraordinarily patient and accepting.
That’s going to include befriending Cree and Kas, not just playing nice. I’m going to have to put some major effort into it. I cringe at the thought, but when I look at Rocco’s face, I remember that it’s all worth it. I’m going to have to make it clear that I won’t cause a problem with his friends.
“Sure they are.” I force a smile, hoping it doesn’t look as strained as it is. “If I’m seeing you, I’ll be seeing him, too.” I try to picture it all in my head, and I don’t like what I see. Rocco probably thinks it will be even worse. If I’m going to make this work, I’m going to have to cut Cree some slack and try to get along.
That’s not going to be easy.
“I wouldn’t want you and Cree to fight all the time.”
“I’m not going to fight with him.”
“Or with Kas. He really likes her.”
“I’m sure he does.” I sound bitchy, so I try to change my tone. “She seems like a good fit for him. And yeah, I’m going to have to figure out how to get along with them both. I’m glad you’re sticking up for your friend.”
“You are?”
“Of course. If you’ll stick up for him, even to me, then you’ll certainly stick up for me if I ever need it. It also means I can trust you to tell me if you don’t like something I’m doing. I’m sure that’s not easy for you, and I appreciate it.”
“You do?”
“Of course, I do.” I sit up a bit, grip his chin, and press my lips against his. “Thank you for trusting me enough to say all of that. In return, I’m going to do my absolute best to be friends with both Cree and Kas. I’ll do whatever it takes to make you feel comfortable around us when we’re all together.” I stroke the side of his face. “You’re important to me, Roc. I’ll do everything I can to make you happy. That’s what a Domme does—takes care of her sub.”
Rocco smiles, and his dark eyes light up for a moment. He leans forward, initiating another kiss, albeit tentatively. I respond, gripping the back of his head and deepening the kiss. He moans into my mouth.
I move back a little, staring into his eyes. His pupils are dilated, and his breathing is a little faster. I lean forward again, trailing kisses up the side of his neck until I hear a quiet whimper. I move back to his mouth, kissing him deeply.
“You want to fuck again?” I ask.
“Oh! Uh...” Rocco fidgets around, unable to look me in the eye anymore, and I laugh.