Page 771 of End Game

“What does that mean?”

His eyes move toward Cami and back. “No rope. No equipment. I don't interfere.”

“And you touch only what I tell you.”

“Yes.”

I step aside.

“You can kiss her. You can touch her breasts and the rest of her body. Nothing below her waist, and you do not change her position.”

Dex nods.

“Come here.”

He moves quickly, but not carelessly, and kisses Cami with the kind of intensity I would normally correct if she weren't already responding to him exactly the way I want.

Her reactions are slow now, as if every touch has to travel through considerably more distance before it reaches her, but she turns toward his mouth and makes a small satisfied sound when his hands settle against her.

Micah puts the flogger away.

For a few minutes, I let the room belong to all of them.

Griffin keeps her stable.

Dex touches almost everything he's been denied permission to touch until now.

Micah checks the rope again without disrupting the moment, because apparently neither of us is capable of completely turning off the part of our brains that monitors safety.

I watch.

That is not a passive role.

For most of my adult life, being responsible has meant staying involved in every piece of the thing I am responsible for. Tonight, I am beginning to understand that leadership inside this family works differently.

Micah can own the rope.

Griffin can own the anchor.

Dex can own his own obedience.

Cami can own her surrender.

I do not have to take any of those things away from them to remain in control of the scene.

Eventually, I step in again.

Dex moves back when I touch his shoulder.

I cup Cami's face, giving her enough warning that she turns toward me, then kiss her slowly.

Her mouth follows mine when I pull away.

“Time to come down, sweetheart.”

Micah joins me without needing instruction.

Dex steps clear.