Equation for Love by Sutherland, Fae (13 ebook reader TXT) 📗

attitude, Skye. You need to protect yourself. Until you know deep down inside you can trust the personyou're givingyour submissionto. Which is why we're here. To negotiate limits, safewords to protect youand, to a lesser degree, me."

"What's a safeword?"

"Your Googlingdidn't tellyou?"Liamteased.

Skye smiled, shaking his head. "I got...distracted before I got to it."

Liam grinned. "Understandable, I think, given the circumstances. A safeword is a word we agree on that will immediately stop the scene. So, if whatever we're doing hits a limit of yours, or you're in pain, or for whatever reason just want to be done, you say the word and I know you're done. Whether temporarily because you need a breather, or altogether because it's too much."

"Can't I just say 'stop'?" He didn't look convinced of the necessity of a safeword, and Liamwas very glad he'd been the one who discovered this side of Skye. Because he was brilliant, but he was also painfully naïve and innocent. Liamhad a strongfeelingit'd be veryeasy for someone to take advantage ofSkye.

"Sometimes saying 'no,' saying 'stop' is part of the game. Sometimes it's more of an instinctive thing to say when you're shocked by something, but don't really want to stop. A safeword is something mundane, completely removed from sex or play, like...like 'rum.' Or 'apple.' Something that will jar us both out of the moment to get back to reality." Liam had a feeling getting back to reality once he was immersed in Skye was goingto be difficult as it was.

"Interesting. I'd never have thought of that." Skye fiddled with his suspender strap, then looked up with a smile. "'Suspenders.'"

Liam laughed. "'Suspenders' it is. That's your word to stop whatever's happeningand get myfullattention."

Skye gave him a small smile. "Are you suggesting I might have less than your full attention during a--what did youcallit?--a scene?"

Liam felt the impact of that sexy little look right down to his toes. Skye was testing his own sensuality in ways that had nothing to do with BDSM. Liamfound it intoxicating. He leaned forward, gaze dropping to Skye's mouth before meeting his eyes again. "Not a chance. Youcertainlyhave myfullattentionnow."

Skye visibly trembled. "Well, then, now might be a good time to stop talkingand...learn. Sir."

Liam groaned and stood up. "I think you're right. Come on, professor. Lesson number ten--don't keep your Domwaiting."

Chapter 5

Skye's heart pounded as the hotel room door shut behind them. He had no idea what to expect, but he was willing to bet it was going to be intense. Just the look on Liam's face told him that much. He shoved his hands into his pockets, taking a few more steps into the room, thenturned to face Liam.

He didn't know what to say. How was he supposed to act? The pictures and even the short videos he'd watched were very-- He didn't know. Not him, basically. He saw those submissives and couldn't imagine himself in their place. Now here he was...in their place.

"Now what?"

Liam's lips twitched. "Now we start on lesson number one."

Skye blinked. "Um...weren't we up to ten?"

Liamchuckled, and Skye had the feeling he'd done something naïve again. "We were. Now we're back at one. Because this is anentirelynew lessonplan."

Skye didn't know if he agreed. It was really more efficient to... Then he stopped. There he went with efficiency again. Liam had already addressed that earlier. He took a deep breath and nodded. "Okay. What's lessonone?"

Liamlooked so pleased Skye suddenly didn't mind the discomfort of letting that little niggle go. It made his insides warmto think he'd done the right thing.

"Lesson one is what you just did. It's obedience. Not questioning so much." Liamtook a step closer and caught Skye's hand, drawing him closer. "Now, I don't expect complete and utter obedience right from the start. I don't think you'll ever not question because you know what, it's part ofyou. It's not a thing that needs to be unlearned."

Skye let out a shaky breath, smiling. "Good because I know you're right. I can't help it."Questioning was who he was, inmore ways thanone. He was a little surprised Liam not only recognized that but thought it was...what? A good thing maybe? The only people who'd ever not been annoyed by his constant queries were his teachers and professors. The idea someone else, someone like Liam, could accept that part of him was intriguing.

Skye had to keep reminding himself this was purely a business relationship. Liam could accept his faults because Skye was paying him to; that was all. He let out his breath and looked up at him. "I'm supposed to just...do what yousay? What ifI don't want to?"

Liam ran one finger along the edge of his suspenders, and for some reason that idle, innocent touch sent shivers down Skye's spine. "You don't have to do anything. But I want you to think before you say no. Think whether youwant to sayno because youtruly don't want to do what I ask or if you're wanting to say no because it's unusual or embarrassing or makes you uncomfortable. The latter aren't always reasons not to do something. Oftenexactlythe opposite, infact."

Skye wondered ifhe could do. He'd have to try, he supposed. He had very much liked the way it felt when he'd done what Liam asked, when Liam had smiled so pleased at him. He might like more of those smiles. No "might"about it; he knew he would.

"All right." He felt like he was standing on the edge of some great abyss and his heart was in his throat just waiting to fall. The thing was, though, Liamwanted him to trust he wouldn't fall. Because Liamwouldn't let him. "It's verydifficult to do this, youknow."

Liam smiled. "I know. This is just the beginning, Skye. I don't want youto be so worked up