Page 35 of Forbidden Fruit
“Yes. I guess Milo will partner with her.” She shrugs and grabs a dish towel, pretending to dry a glass that’s not even wet. What a human headache.
We both know Milo’s a well-loved member of this community, and we both know what it means to be tied by him.
When I turn back to the balcony, Milo, Vanessa and the group have disappeared.
“Fuck it,” I mutter to no one in particular as I march upstairs.
I have no plan, but all that matters is that I get to her.
TWENTY
RULES ARE NOT MEANT TO BE BROKEN YET HERE WE ARE
The door bangs against the wall as it swings open to reveal the intimate setting inside the room. Bright light might illuminate the space, but the low sultry music and the mattresses on the floor in a circle create a closeness between each pairing.
I don’t need to search for Vanessa. My eyes collide with hers which are wide and surprised, shining with excitement. Ropes are already tied around her hips and I suppress a groan.
I know she doesn’t have many friends or spend a lot of time outside of the pool house. I know because I’ve watched too many times, attuned to her every move. I should be ashamed of robbing her of a chance to connect with someone new, someone who can offer her what she might desire in life. But she’s a precious jewel, and it seems I’ve turned into a dragon hoarding her for himself.
“Lino,” Milo welcomes me with a creased brow. “What can I do for you tonight?”
Without a word, I walk to where Vanessa is standing, the rope already tied around her waist, beckoning me to her like the thread of hemp is a link between us.
“I’ll assist Vanessa.”
She takes a sharp inhale and coughs before stuttering unintelligibly. “That’s not… I mean… No… I…”
I silence her by giving a pointed tug to the rope around her waist. “I insist. Milo needs to check on everyone. Don’t you, Milo?”
My eyes never stray from her and when the shock dissipates, fire replaces it behind her chestnut irises. Our bodies are so close I can feel the heat of her skin and the rise and fall of her chest, heaving with what feels like anger.
“You have no fucking right!” she whisper-yells.
Of course, I have no right. But I can’t carry on with my evening as images of her writhing body underneath Milo’s flood my brain. I have no hope of finding pleasure with someone if I know that she’s here, discovering something that’s integral to who I am. With someone who isn’t me.
My jaw clenches, and I give her the truth. “I know.”
I can’t look into her eyes as I untie and re-tie the rope around her hips, in preparation for the simple ladder knot sequence Milo is showing everyone. My fingers don’t touch her. I haven’t earned that privilege yet. “Jade mentioned you were here. And alone. And I… Milo trained me. I can be your partner for tonight. If you’ll have me,” I surmise.
Her tense body relaxes, her shoulders dropping, her brow softening. I meet her gaze then, ready to leave if she just says the word.
Vanessa’s head tilts to the side as she studies me, worrying her bottom lip. I swallow at the sight and drop my gaze to where my hands hold the rope, where it’s safe.
“Okay,” she says eventually and lets her arms fall to her sides. “Be gentle. It’s my first time.”
My eyes drop shut at the innocuous sentence, a groan stuck in my chest. I clear my throat and lower to my knees in front ofher as I start to wrap and bind the rope around her naked legs. I try and fail not to focus on how soft she feels underneath my fingertips.
“Feel the rope around your body,” Milo instructs everyone. “And for those tying, check in with your partner and have fun with your knots. This is all about exploration today.”
When I look up at Vanessa, her eyes are already fixated on me. They move to where my hands hold her thighs, where my fingers thread the rope, before coming back to land on my face. It’s like she can’t decide where to look, greedy with the sight before her.
I bloom under her attention, studying her face for hints of discomfort, but all I see is a calm smile and serene features.
“It’s quite similar to yoga,” she says in a low voice, destined only to reach my ears.
“How so?”
“In yoga, we observe the sensations in the body throughout our practice. It’s all about awareness. This is similar. You tie, and I can let go of that part and just feel the pressure of the ropes against my legs.”