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“Say yes to going on a date with me?” Rick asked, keeping his tone playfully hopeful. Trying to help her out and hoping the answer was yes.
“Well, sort of.” She gave herself a little shake, as if gathering her courage. “I wanted to ask you if we could do an Introductory Scene. Um... at Stronghold.”
Whatever he had been expecting from her, it definitely hadn’t been that. His first instinct was to say no, but he clamped his jaw down against the word, because he couldn’t think of an immediate reason as to why not. Also, because she looked so hopeful, while simultaneously anxious for even asking.
“Why?” he asked, realizing his tone had changed substantially. Tighter. Definitely not happy. Immediately she reacted, her shoulders coming forward as she clasped her elbows. A protective gesture that made him inwardly curse. He hadn’t meant to sound upset, but for some reason he kind of was. It felt almost like a delaying tactic, another way to make him wait while she tried to figure out what she wanted. Even though he recognized insecurity on his part as being kind of illogical, because she didn’t really know what she wanted, he couldn’t stop the emotion.
“I’m just... I’ve never done anything like this before. And I don’t know if I’ll like it. Or be good at it.” The real worry he saw her in eyes was that of a submissive afraid of disappointing her Dom and it definitely made the hard tension in his lungs soften. “So when Angel suggested—“
“Angel suggested?”
“When did you see Angel?”
Rick’s and Adam’s questions overlapped in exactly the same slightly suspicious and demanding tones. Meddling female. After all her questions at Stronghold about Maria he should have realized she wouldn’t leave the situation alone. He ignored Olivia’s giggle.
Wide eyed, Maria glanced over Rick’s shoulder, where he was sure Adam was now in her line of view.
“She came in to happy hour tonight with her friend Leigh,” Maria replied hesitantly, obviously unsure of whether or not she was getting Angel into trouble.
Behind him, Rick could hear Adam mutter something while Olivia laughed. Probably something about how he ought to beat his sub’s ass for interfering. A sentiment which Rick would echo.
The idea of doing an Introductory Scene with Maria was just... scary. He’d done them before, with other subs, but never with one who meant anything to him. It felt like a test. Which made him feel both prickly and a tiny bit fearful. Prickly because he didn’t like the idea she was just playing with him, trying him out, and simultaneously afraid that at the end of it, she would realize she didn’t want him or what he had to offer. Even worse, he knew her interest in BDSM had already been piqued, so what if she rejected him but went looking for someone else at Stronghold? Then he’d not only have to live in the same building as her, but he’d be running into her at the club.
Did he really have a choice? It was a reasonable request, especially for a complete newbie.
It wasn’t until Adam spoke up behind him that Rick realized how long he’d been making Maria wait for an answer.
“If Rick doesn’t want to do it, I’m sure Patrick could suggest someone who would be more than willing.”
Rick snarled in response. Fuck. He was already so in over his head. He already considered Maria his girl, even if she wasn’t his sub yet.
“That won’t be necessary,” he said tightly, ignoring Olivia’s answering giggle and Adam’s chuckle. Maria looked up at him, worriedly, and he softened his expression. “I’ll talk to Patrick and set it up. Will next Thursday work for you?”
Hope, fear, and desire all flashed across Maria’s face and she nodded. Stepping out into the hall, Rick pulled the door behind him so it was only open a crack.
Letting go of the doorknob, Rick took Maria’s face in his hands, tilting her head back so he could look directly into her dark eyes. Her pupils dilated as her lips parted automatically for him, and he felt his cock begin to harden in response.
“I want you to do some research online. I’ll have Patrick send you the questionnaire all the newbie subs who are doing the Introductory Scene get. I want you to really think about what you want and need.” Something inside his stomach twisted at the thought that her desires might not align closely enough with his. Compromise was possible on a lot of things, but not everything. At least he’d be able to look over the survey and see if there was anywhere they were glaringly incompatible. “Okay?”
“Okay,” she whispered, her tongue flicking out along her bottom lip. He could tell she wanted him to kiss her, but he held himself back.
Just in case.
He was already in too deep, emotionally, but he didn’t have to go deeper until he knew he wasn’t the only one.
“Good girl,” he said, watching the arousal and desire flare in her eyes at the words. Then he released her. Without the kiss they were both aching for. “Have a good night.”
Confused and off-balance—which made him feel more satisfied and centered—Maria nodded her head. “You too.”
He watched her head up the stairs before he turned and went back into his apartment. Both of his friends were sitting there, waiting for him, not even looking at the cards and chips on the table.
“Soooo....” Olivia prompted. “Why didn’t you want to do an Introductory Scene with Maria?”
“It’s not that I don’t want to,” Rick hedged, sitting down across from them and trying not to feel like he’d just set himself up for an interrogation as Adam and Olivia exchanged glances. Unfortunately his poker face didn’t feel like it was working. “I love the idea of getting her into Stronghold again. I just don’t like feeling like I’m being tested.”
“Ah,” said Adam, thoughtfully. “I think I can understand that. The Introductory Scenes are supposed to be for introducing newbies to the scene, but with Maria it’s also going to be specifically giving her a scene catered to your tastes and her reactions are going to be more than just indicative about whether or not she’ll be into BDSM, but whether or not you two might work as a couple.”
Trust Adam to be able to immediately put Rick’s conflicted emotions and subconscious thoughts and worries into coherent statements. Then again, Adam probably kind of understood the feeling a bit too, since he’d been interested in Angel when he’d ended up doing her Introductory Scene. It wasn’t quite the same but close enough Adam could definitely feel some empathy.
