Page 101 of Love Lessons

Lena launched into his arms, nearly knocking over both him and the kit. She covered his face with kisses, then sat back down with a plop. I love you, Daddy!

Dustin blinked. Did she mean that? Or was it just something that she was saying to express her gratitude? Did she even realize what she’d said?

She had already turned back to exploring the neon and argon-filled glass tubes, which he knew would speak to her science teacher heart.

He tapped her shoulder. Shall we try it out?

Can I put it together? Such a cute geek.

Well, it seemed that she hadn’t realized what she’d said. He wasn’t sure if that was adorable or maybe a little sad. He thought that she felt strongly for him, maybe not quite as much as he did for her, but getting there. Either way, he would treasure her words.

For now, though, he followed her lead. Sure. Make sure to slide the tube in straight, no twisting. He’d already read the instructions over several times, watched a few online product demos, and tested it out on himself before packaging it back up.

She looked over the attachments, hesitating over one and them moving on to another. The larger tips are less intense because the charge is more spread out.

She nodded. I wonder if it’s an inverse-square thing. She tilted her head the other way. No, probably not.

I have no idea what you’re talking about. But she was excited, that much was clear.

She finally returned to the largest glass ball and slid it into the wand handle. This is the only one that I’ve seen before.

That was the understanding he’d had. She’d been lucky enough to have someone use one on her in a demonstration years ago and it had apparently made a big impression. After that, she’d seen them a few times in other demonstrations, but not from up close. He still wasn’t quite sure whether she was more attracted to the science or the sensations.

That’s one of the gentler ones, so it’s good to start with. Take off your jewelry. He uncoiled the cord, plugged it into the foot pedal, and then plugged that into the wall beside the bed. When he returned, she’d piled her earrings, necklace, and rings on the bedside table.

Lena turned on the device and he turned the lights down so that she could get the full effect of the sparks shooting through the plasma globe. He showed her how to hold it upright, which parts to touch, and how to tap the foot pedal to cut the power supply before switching electrodes. Then, he stepped back to watch.

She was cute experimenting with it, touching it with all five fingers or just one, then pulling away and seeing how close it needed to be for a spark to jump to her fingers.

When it appeared that she’d want to play with it for a while, he just climbed onto the bed with his back against the headboard. He looped his arms around her waist and dragged her toward him and then settled the kit beside her.

She curled up into him but didn’t otherwise divert her attention from her toy. Dustin smiled into her neck as she ran the ball over her arm, watching her hair stand up, then kept playing with it with her fingers. The smell of rainstorms grew as ozone filled the air.

She pulled up one of his hands and gave him a small shock. It was surprising, not so much painful as tingly and prickly. If she had used a higher intensity, he knew he would have felt his muscles clenching and relaxing involuntarily, which wasn’t a sensation he particularly enjoyed. He imagined Lena would, though.

He kissed the back of her neck and she leaned further into him without taking her eyes off the device.

He almost wondered if they were going to get to use it tonight given her excitement about just exploring the contraption. He was maybe a little disappointed, but he was enjoying her enthusiasm so much that he couldn’t begrudge her. They would have other evenings to play with it in more exciting ways.

He pressed gentle kisses to her shoulder, but mostly stayed out of her way while she tested out each of the attachments. She was being safe, and they weren’t anywhere near the two-hour capacity of the wand.

It was relaxing watching her get absorbed in her interests, especially since their relationship had started out with such an explicitly sexual focus.

Only his danger girl would turn a kinky toy into a scientific exploration. He’d bet that she wanted to show it to her students at school, too.

At last, she seemed to notice that he was behind her or maybe she’d gotten most of her curiosity satisfied. She clicked off the wand and very carefully took out the attachment and placed it back in the foam shell. Then she tossed her legs sideways over his knee to snuggle up in his arms.

Thank you.

He nuzzled her head. Of course. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.

I meant it before, she looked up at him shyly.

What did you mean, Danger? He had a guess, but he didn’t let himself hope. He tried to keep his expression calm.

I love you.

He’d been waiting so long to hear it, but he hadn’t expected to be so moved. He dropped feathered kisses onto her forehead, over her closed eyelids, at the tip of her nose.