“I...I don’t know.”
“Better ask your girlfriend.”
I cringe at the word. I know he’s teasing me, and I don’t mind, but that word...
“I hoped she’d be good for you,” Cree says, continuing on. “Even if I was feeling a little paranoid about leaving you here without knowing for sure, I never would have agreed to get you two together if I didn’t think there was a chance. I’m glad it worked out as well as it did. I had some doubts.”
“Why?”
“Because Casey’s known more for her temper than her patience. You need patience.”
“Yeah, I probably do. But Casey...she’s...she’s great.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
Cree looks over toward the bathroom door, cocking his head to the side as if listening, and his mouth turns into a frown.
“You don’t like her any more than she likes you, do you?”
“It’s not that I don’t like her, Roc.” Cree runs his fingers through his hair. “She’s got anger issues, for sure, and I don’t like her taking them out on Kas. That why I was a little hesitant about having her do rope with you. I was afraid she’d get frustrated and take it out on you.”
“You were watching us, weren’t you?”
“Intently—at first, at least. Casey learned from me, and you’re my friend, so I do feel some responsibility there. It was pretty clear after a while that Casey was focused on your needs, and you were comfortable with her, so I focused my attention on something a little more to my liking.”
“Huh?” I look at him quizzically, and Cree gives me a sly grin.
“Tying up Kas and fucking the shit out of her.”
“Oh...that.” I feel heat rise to my face. I really should have been able to figure that one out on my own. I lick my lips nervously, wanting to pose a question but not sure how to phrase it.
“I know that look,” Cree says. “What do you want to ask me?”
“I...I always liked having you tie me,” I say, “but it wasn’t...it was never like...”
“It wasn’t sexual.”
“No, not at all.”
“And you’re wondering why it was so different with Casey?”
“Yeah.”
“Um, because you’re straight, dude.” Cree laughs.
“Is it really that simple?”
“Somewhat. I mean, you have to be attracted to the person tying you if it’s going to turn into something else. You aren’t attracted to me, but you are clearly attracted to Casey, right?”
“I guess so.”
“You guess so?”
“I mean, yes—I’m definitely attracted to her. But when she had me tied up, my eyes were closed. My eyes are always closed when you tie me up, too. How can it feel so different?”
“Well, for starters, Casey and I handle rope very differently. Rope bottoms are going to feel that difference blindfolded, with or without attraction. Aside from that, you still knew it was her, not me.” Cree leans in a little closer, whispering conspiratorially. “And dude...I never rub your dick while I’m tying you.”
I blush, and Cree places his hand on his stomach as he laughs. He shakes his head, still smiling.