Page 80 of Pierced

But wow. That was some look he just gave me.

We’re silent as we make our way out of the TDH and get in the freeway, and that silence is deafening. I want to say something to break it. Anything. But nothing comes to mind. I am literally speechless.

It’s several more painful minutes, when we’ve settled into the ride, when he finally speaks. “I think I need to give you a safe word.”

“What?”

“You know, a safe word. Like you gave me for the dungeon stuff.”

“Did you pack whips and handcuffs?” I laugh. “Why in the world would I need a safe word?”

“Because you seem… guarded. And you’re entitled to your privacy, but I think…” He sighs. “I think I need to know more. About you, I mean. So, I’m going to ask a lot of questions. And I don’t want you to feel obligated to answer. I’ll accept whatever, but at the same time, I don’t want to feel like some things are off limits.” He glances over at me. “You can have all the decision-making power. I’m fine with that. But I want to lead.”

I have to run these words over and over in my head for almost a minute. “You want to lead,” I say, finally able to reply.

He nods. “Yup. I’m just… that kind of guy. I like to lead. But you know that.”

More silence from me. Because I don’t know how to respond. When I agreed to this weekend I figured we’d look at the aspens from the safety of the car. I pictured us eating at nice restaurants. Maybe strolling through Vail Village looking into shops. Possibly there’s snow up there and the runs are open, so there might be some skiing. And… probably some sex. I mean, he didn’t hide the fact that he was turned on this week. And I’m not averse to sex with him if that’s where it goes. Pierce is what I’d like to call “the total package” as far as I’m concerned.

It that weird? Plenty of people are sexually attracted to their boss, right?

Yes, but most of them do not take him to their sex dungeon to get him hard.

Actually, getting him hard wasn’t my plan. My plan was… well, derailed comes to mind.

Which reminds me of what’s happening in the present moment.

I did not figure intimate conversation was going to be part of this.

Which is stupid of me. Just another example of how far away I am from that domineering, powerful woman I used to be. Because she would’ve thought of that. She would’ve had rules in place from the start. She would not have been blindsided by the threat I might need a safe word to communicate with him this weekend.

“So what is it?’

“Huh?” I say, absently looking at him.

“Your safe word. Because I’m dying here. I’m dying to know more about you and I’d like to get started right now.”

“Wallflower,” comes out of my mouth unexpectedly. And I really do want to stab myself in the eye for that. But it was automatic. It’s the only safe word I’ve ever had so it just… came out.

“Wallflower?” he laughs.

I suck in a deep, deep breath and nod my head. “Yes. My safe word is wallflower.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR - PIERCE

“So... What do you want to know?” she asks.

“Well, a lot, I suppose. But suddenly I just kind of want to know the etymology of ‘wallflower.’ Weird expression. Wall. Flower. Where does that come from?”

“I dunno. I think it means a woman who kind of sits by a wall waiting for a suitor to come ask her to dance or something.”

“Oh. Yeah, I get that. Huh. That’s actually nicer than how it’s always sounded to me.

“How so?”

“Your version presumes that the woman is, in fact, a flower.”

“Yeah, I suppose.”