A display of whips, floggers, and riding crops rested against the wall next to a wide selection of ropes, ribbons, and ties. Large, sturdy bars hung from the ceiling with more chains and cuffs. Strange furniture lay scattered about the room made of mahogany wood, coated with crushed velvet or satin.
There were so many things that Rixxis couldn’t even process what she was seeing, and yet she knew exactly what the room was for. The same heat from before flushed her face and fluttered low in her stomach. She glanced over at Rowan, who had remained by the door, holding it open. His intense gaze was focused on her, watching her reaction.
She turned her head away and let her feet carry her further into the room, past the leather swing that hung from a chain, past the strange, curved piece of padded furniture, and up to a glass cabinet that held miscellaneous items like paintbrushes, a feather duster, candles, blindfolds, a series of thin, metal rods…
“This is what you like?” she asked, frowning at the display. “Hurting people?”
He finally moved away from the door. “It’s not about inflicting pain. That can be an element, but ultimately, it’s about power.”
“Power?”
“Not in the way you’re thinking.” He stopped next to her and held out his hand. “Let me show you.”
She frowned at his outstretched hand.
“Don’t you trust me, Rixxis?”
She snorted, ignoring the heat in her face, and rolled her eyes. “Not enough to let you tie me up and whip me.”
Rowan laughed. “No whips or chains involved. You don’t even have to get undressed. I just want to show you how it can feel good.”
Rixxis hesitated. He seemed trustworthy. Ieduin trusted him, and he’d never done anything to hurt her. Even when he overstepped with Ieduin, he’d apologized sincerely, which was more than most men would do. Besides, what was the harm if she didn’t even have to take off her shirt?
Curiosity eventually got the better of her and she put her hand in his.
He flipped her hand over so that the palm was facing up and tugged her arm gently away from her body, exposing the inside of her arm. “Close your eyes.”
“How will you show me anything if I have my eyes closed?”
“Your eyes can betray you,” he said, putting a hand over her eyes. “They are only one of many ways we can experience the world. Close them and let me show you another.”
She begrudgingly closed her eyes with a sigh and waited.
He let go of her hand. “Be a good girl and keep your arm extended, just like that.”
Maybe it was nerves. Maybe it was the way he said it, but something made her insides do a little flip-flop at Rowan’s words. She kept her arm outstretched. It was tempting to look when she heard him opening the cabinet, but she kept her eyes squeezed tightly shut, not wanting to disappoint him.
“If ever you feel you’re in danger of being hurt physically or emotionally, you will say ‘red’. Repeat it now so I know you’ve heard me.”
“Red.” She restrained the urge to laugh. She must’ve looked ridiculous.
But he sounded completely serious as he said, “Do you want to stop?”
“We haven’t even started yet.”
“Yes or no?” he prompted. “Those are the only answers I can accept.”
She swallowed and shook her head. “No.”
She flinched and recoiled when something soft brushed against the inside of her arm.
“Shh,” Rowan whispered. “You know how to stop if you need it. But that didn’t hurt, did it?”
He was right. Whatever he’d touched her with, it hadn’t hurt. It had only surprised her.
Slowly, Rixxis extended her arm back into position. It touched her again lightly.It must be one of the paintbrushes.She thought she felt the light whisper of silky bristles moving over her skin. It was like being touched by a dozen small brushes at once, though, as the sensation seemed to spread beyond where she thought it should be.
“Focus on my voice and the feeling of this brush going over your skin,” Rowan’s voice hovered just above a whisper. “That’s all there is. Whatever worry and fears you have, you left them at the door, shed them like a heavy pack. You’re lighter now. Free of that. The only thing you have to worry about is what I tell you to worry about. The only world that exists is the one I create for you.”