Total pages in book: 220
Estimated words: 212755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1064(@200wpm)___ 851(@250wpm)___ 709(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 212755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1064(@200wpm)___ 851(@250wpm)___ 709(@300wpm)
It was simple to let my pup side out around other pups and subs—he was kind of uncomplicated—but it hadn’t been the same around dates. Not that it was surprising. There was nothing playful or fun about being stared at like I was a circus sideshow.
Cohen seemed to understand, though. There was a knowing in his eyes that said he realized how stressful this was for me, but I appreciated that he didn’t try to talk me out of it or push it off to another day.
I needed to get this over with so I could relax around him.
The logic sounded backward, even to me, but I had to see this wasn’t a deal breaker for him…and that there was the same spark of special something that’d been between us since our eyes first met.
But as he’d taken the bag from my hands and smiled, some of the tension that had taken up long-term residence in my stomach started to fade…and it felt strange. It was like a houseguest that had moved in and never left, so it took me a moment to realize why I felt lighter.
“We’re going to head up to my room because it has more privacy.” He gestured toward the wall of windows at the back of the living room and I had to chuckle. “And I think it will be more intimate.”
That had my cheeks heating up again.
Cohen’s eyes sparkled with barely suppressed laughter, but he held it back. “But we know that nothing happens unless we're both comfortable, and right now we’re basically just holding a pup meet and greet, so no sexy times.”
Groaning, I had to resist the urge to cover my face. “Meet and greet. Yes.”
I was hard enough that I wasn’t going to promise the no sexy times part unless that was what he actually wanted. But since I seriously doubted that, I didn’t think I had to worry.
I got a light peck on the cheek before he wrapped one arm around me and nodded toward a windy staircase at the front of the house. “Upstairs, pup.”
Orders were definitely appreciated even if he seemed worried that he was overstepping, so I nodded and took a deep breath. I wanted to show him that I liked how he’d taken charge, but the oxygen or maybe just the calming action had me feeling better too.
“One step at a time and we go as slow as we need to.” His soothing tone had my tight muscles releasing as we made our way through the huge house and up to the second floor. “What safewords do you want to use for tonight?”
It was a legit question, but I had to take another breath before my throat released the words. “I’d like to use stoplight colors if that’s alright with you.”
“Good. They’re easy to remember.” Stroking my back as we walked up the stairs, he chuckled. “Brains aren’t always at top form during a scene.”
I had to laugh at how true that was, but the reflexive action popped another bubble of stress. “I know there are a thousand urban legends about subs who forget an overly complicated safeword during a scene, but it’s always been one of my fears.”
Cohen barked out a laugh as we reached what seemed to be his bedroom door. “I can understand that. When I was younger, I was at a club and overheard two guys negotiating a scene. Both guys seemed nice, no red flags, but the sub had a list of vegetables based on what he liked and what he hated.”
Oh god, that would’ve been terrible.
My snicker had Cohen nodding with an ear-to-ear grin. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure we’re on the same page with that idea. I panicked just thinking about how I’d remember everything and ended up leaving the club early without meeting anyone.”
Laughing, I nodded. “That’s way too much pressure to put on a new Dom.”
It was too much pressure to put on anyone, but I understood why some people liked unique safewords.
“I would have to agree.” His teasing response had me chuckling again, and as he stepped away from me and set the bag down on his bed, I had to think about why I’d been nervous to begin with.
This was Cohen and nothing he’d done said he was an asshole or lying.
There’d been no red flags at all…which in some cases would’ve been a red flag…but not with Cohen.
“Let’s see what your pup looks like.” The way he confidently started pulling my gear out said he knew I was still nervous, but he didn’t let that stop him.
I had my safewords.
Right now I just needed his take-charge attitude and his laid-back confidence to feed my own…and I was so glad I didn’t have to ask for it.
Of course, the first thing he had to pull out was my hood.