Page 17 of Key of Kink

I thought for a moment. “Not right now. Perhaps if we continue.”

That line about one single scene? I’d been truthful. What I hadn’t said was that a lot was riding on it.

Specifically, if it made me want more scenes with him.

I gave an internal smile. Will Max pass his interview?

Yeah, my confidence was back with a vengeance.

He studied me for a moment. “Safewords?”

“I’ve only ever used red, amber, and green.”

Max studied me for a moment. “If you don’t have your own safeword, might I make a suggestion?”

I smiled. “Please.”

“Use your own name.” I blinked, and he nodded. “It’s easy to remember in a stressful situation—not that I intend causing one—and not something you’d normally use in everyday conversation.”

I liked that. “Yeah, that works.”

“Also, remember that you can’t use a safeword with your mouth full.” Max smirked. “You’ll need a physical version too. Maybe a slap, a couple of rapid shakes of your head…”

“Three blinks? That kinda thing?” He nodded. I took a deep breath. “And you? What do you want?”

His eyebrow went skyward again. “You’re negotiating up.”

“I am.” I fired a polite smile at him. “You can decline.”

A pause.

“I want attention,” Max said. “Focus. I want you to follow instructions exactly as given, not as you think they should be interpreted.”

I nodded. “That sounds fine. Soothing, in fact.”

That got me a look. “Careful. You’re flirting.”

“Am I?” I flashed that smile again. “Or am I demonstrating comprehension?”

Another pause, only shorter this time. “You’re enjoying this.”

“Yes,” I admitted. “Are you?”

Max leaned back. “That’s undetermined at the moment.”

“And that’s honest.”

His cool scrutiny ruffled me. “You’re not looking for a dynamic.”

“No,” I said. “Just one scene. That’s it.”

Max held my gaze. “If this works, you’ll want more.”

“Maybe,” I admitted. “But wanting something doesn’t mean I get it.”

That sharpened his expression. “When do you want to stop?”

I thought about it for a second instead of answering immediately.