I cleared my throat. “Should we discuss limits?”
“Hmm?” He tore his gaze away from his phone. “Oh. Well, I don’t see myself doing anything sexual with anyone during the session.”
I wasn’t surprised, but still. “Could be nice to have things established…? For instance, James and Jordan are all in—they’d prefer no protection, they don’t have to be in the same room together when playtime is on the table, and for the time being, they’d like to be exclusive with us, but they might wanna explore with others in the future.” I paused. “I don’t think I can be that open right off the bat. I’m fine with fucking unprotected as long as everyone’s being safe, but I want you and me together for anything beyond kissing and…I don’t know, touching.”
Nate nodded slowly, thinking about it. “I’d say that’s a good start. I don’t know what kind of chemistry—if any—I will have with them, but until we get to know each other better, I’d definitely want the heavier play to happen when we’re all together. At least, I want you and me to be in the same room.”
Thank fuck. I grabbed his hand and kissed it.
“And just to be clear,” he went on, “I want you to feel free to interact with Jordan as his Daddy Dom. You must be further ahead in establishing your dynamic, and I want to see that side of you. I don’t know how to explain it, but I always found it sexy when you revealed that part. Rare as it was.”
He didn’t need to explain it, because I understood. “I get it. I feel the same way when I watch you with rope. And now we can both do it without insecurities getting in the way.” I was curious about one more thing, though. Something he’d said. “How come ropework was never sexual for you?”
He turned pensive. “I’m not sure. I don’t know if I’m too focused or… I don’t know.”
Either way, I had hopes. Because he’d never tied up a non-platonic play partner before. Except for me—and those moments had definitely been sexual.
The rope dojo on the second floor was Nathan’s domain. This was where he was the reluctant leader of a group of bondage enthusiasts who soaked up every word he said. He and Nattie, I should say. She was the other ringleader, a talented rigger, though she wasn’t here tonight. But her sub was, and I helped Sierra set up for tonight while Nathan prepared his demo.
The room was grand, like a ballroom, with higher ceilings, and they even had a balcony facing the front lawn. The wallswere painted a dark red with streaks of lighter shades that came together as silhouettes of bodies being tied up. Discreet until you really looked. The lighting was dim, aside from standing spotlights here and there. The crown molding and other intricate details were painted gold, matching the velvet curtains. This room had been treated differently from all the others after the fire. It’d been restored to its former glory rather than transformed into a playroom.
I carried four more chairs to Nate’s corner.
Sierra told me that more people had signed up last minute, so we were looking at twelve participants now—plus a few partners who sat on the sidelines for one reason or another. Two walls were already lined with chairs, and I could guess the kink attracted an audience on a regular basis.
Five minutes before seven, more people had trickled in.
Nate hadn’t been lying about the come-as-you-are dress code. While he wore his standard slacks and fitted pullover, two younger guys were wearing nothing but underwear, another guy was wearing leather pants, Sierra was in her usual slave dress, and the Domme who’d just entered wore latex.
I was the jeans-and-tee guy.
“Pssst!”
I threw a glance over my shoulder toward the double doors, and I cracked a grin at the sight of Jordan. James stepped in too, and both of them looked around, almost in wonder.
“Hi, Sir.” Jordan rushed over to me and pointed up. “An actual chandelier? Fancy.”
I pulled him in for a hug and kissed the top of his head. “Good to see you again, sweetheart. Did you leave the shyness at home?”
He grinned impishly and smacked my chest lightly. “Are you serious? You did not warn me how hot Mister Rigger was gonna be in person. I about swallowed my tongue.”
I chuckled and dipped down, but I didn’t kiss him yet. “Wait till you see him naked.”
“Eeep!” he whispered. “I hope he likes me that way.”
I couldn’t imagine he wouldn’t.
I brushed a quick kiss to his lips before I straightened to greet James too. Which reminded me… They were dressed casually in jeans and tees like me, but I’d heard something about Jordan picking out a pair of briefs…?
“Did you decide who’s gonna be Nate’s rope bunny tonight?” I asked. “And is he the one stripping down to those cute briefs?”
James smirked crookedly. “I was on the fence when we drove over here, but after seein’ the hooks in the ceilin’, I’m more than happy to let Jordan be the bunny.”
Jordan gasped and looked right up. “Oh my gosh. Um.”
I laughed quietly. “You don’t have to worry. No suspension bondage tonight.”
“Thank God,” he exhaled. “But does Mister Rigger do that? Like, he hangs people from the ceiling?”
