Page 78 of Over the Line

“Do you want them?”

“Yes,” she said. She met his gaze with her open, readable blue eyes. When she looked at him like that, she had no artifice.

The raw hunger inflamed him.

“Please,” she added.

“I live to serve,” he told her with a quick grin.

“Thank you, Sir.”

The sincerity in her voice and the simmer of desire in her eyes were all the reward he’d ever need.

She offered him back the implement, then she looked at his makeshift toy box. “Uh, is that a gag?” she asked.

“It is.”

“For me?”

“Is that a problem?” He watched her reaction. The fact that she’d taken one step away telegraphed her nervousness, but she hadn’t refused outright, or used a safe word, meaning she wasn’t distraught. “We’re outside. I want you to be able to completely let go without worrying. Though no one will rescue you, regardless. I thought you might be more comfortable if your voice is muffled. But I’ll still be able to hear your sobs.”

Without speaking, eyebrows knitted together, she regarded him.

“I don’t think it’s going to look very flattering, Sir.”

Wryly, he said, “Other than the aesthetics, do you have any issues with being gagged?”

“No, Sir.”

“Good. Because I think it’s hot when a submissive drools all over the place.”

She crinkled her nose.

“If you don’t want to wear it, you have a safe word that will always be honored.”

“I…” She didn’t finish.

“Tell me your slow word?”

“Turtle.”

It was the first time she hadn’t broken it into two mocking syllables. Progress. Welcome progress at that. “And your safe word?”

“Everest.”

“Would you like to use either?”

“No.” Determined finality rang in her words.

“Nothing matters more to me than your well-being.”

“Right now, I’m fine. Just…”

Waiting, he arched an eyebrow.

“I’ll do anything if it gets me an orgasm.”

“You’ll earn it.”