Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 10

wished I could find a guy like him who wasn't a rent boy. When we talked, we connected. I could become good friends with Wolfgang if he hadn't been paid to make me happy. He set the glass on my bedside table and then crawled onto the bed. Rising up on his knees, he unbuckled his belt and slowly slid the leather free.
    "What next?" he asked. "Shall I spank you?"
    In an instant, a switch flipped in my head. "No. No fucking way." I rolled on to my side as much as the ropes would permit. I bent a knee, putting it between us, fully prepared to kick him in his tempting bulge if he tried to hit me with that belt. For a long moment, I thought he would, and without my hands, there was a chance he could. I struggled to remember my high school days. If my body could remember some wrestling moves, I might be able to keep him off of me. Panic beat me to it. Eyes wide, I squeaked out the one thing Sam told me before he left. "Bubble gum!"
    As soon as I said it Wolfgang spread his arms wide. The belt dangled from his fingers for a moment before he dropped it over the edge of the bed. "Okay," Wolfgang said. "I hear you." He reached for my cheek, but I flinched and he pulled his hand back.
    "I hear you," he repeated. "No belts." His voice was calm and low, as if I was a startled animal. In a way, I was. When I read that book, giving up control intrigued me, but not some of the other kinks. Not pain. My limit, as we'd just learned, remained at tying my hands behind my back.
    With my breathing ragged, I barely recognized myself. I'd like to blame something or someone. My dad never belted me. I rarely got into fights growing up. Even wrestling with Sam was mostly good-natured fun, and we rarely hurt each other more than an occasional bruise. I could've just said no, but instead I panicked. How embarrassing!
    Wolfgang reached for the ropes, but I spread my fingers. "No." He paused and met my gaze with a questioning look in his eyes. "I'm okay," I said.
    He smiled, but it was muted compared to earlier. "Okay, sweetie, whatever you want. It's your birthday, after all."
    "It's not—Oh, yeah, my birthday." I started to relax again. I rolled onto my back even though it tightened my bonds to the point of pain. The ropes twisted, pulling my wrists together against the headboard. I should move back to my stomach, relieve some of the tension, but I needed a moment to collect my thoughts. And my breath.
    I glanced at him. He waited, poised beautifully on the edge of my bed. In the low light from the hall, his hair reminded me of the deep color of bruises. Creepy, and yet I still found him sexy and hoped my little episode didn't make him want to leave.
    "We didn't talk about the rules," he said.
    "I didn't realize that would freak me out so fucking bad. I'm sorry."
    "No, I am sorry. It is my job to be aware of your needs. When a man relinquishes control, it is up to the one he trusts to keep control for both of them."
    "That sounds so sagely." I wanted to touch him, assure him that I was all right with touch, not jokes.
    "No, it's true. Sam told me that you had a kink for bondage, but he couldn't tell me to what extent. He barely knows anything about it really. We should've set ground rules before we began."
    "Sam started it. He tied me up without a word. I didn't tell him to."
    "Don't try to comfort me," he said, and he had an air of authority that made me shiver.
    I smiled. "This—" I shook my hands "—I like. I like having no choice but to take the pleasure you're giving. I'm lying here hoping you'll straddle my hips again, but I can't do a damn thing about it."
    "Sure you can." The smile returned as he leaned over me, his lips so close, but still not on mine. "You can ask me."
    I licked my lips, willing his mouth to mine. "No, I can't. Maybe once you untie me, I'll take control, but not now. I think…" I met his gaze. "I think I need it to be all or none. I like the anticipation, wondering if what you'll do next… If you'll kiss me…"
    "All," he whispered. I could smell his breath ghosting over my face, and I wanted to taste every inch of his mouth, tongue, and teeth.
    "Please, Wolfgang."
    "Are you asking?"
    "Only that you understand."
    "Understand what?" His lashes were long, and they dusted his cheeks drawing my attention to sharp, high bones that any girl would kill for.
    "I don't know why the belt freaked me out."
    "You don't have to. You only need to know that it does."
    "I wish we had more time."
    "We have all the time in the