Ruthless King

“If it makes you more comfortable, you can have one and I’ll honor it.” He ran his hands up her thigh, making her swallow heavily. “Tell me your limits and your safeword.”

“I don’t . . . I’ve got no real experience with anything like this except what I’ve read in books. How do I know what my limits are?”

“Well, we can experiment. And when you find something you don’t like, you just say your safeword and we stop.”

“All right. My safeword is Squish.”

He blinked, looking slightly confused. “Squish?”

“Yeah, I have always liked that word. I like saying it. Squish. Squish. Squish.”

He placed his hand over her mouth, giving her an amused look. She grimaced. She was acting like an idiot.

“Sorry,” she mumbled.

“Don’t be sorry,” he said, removing his hand.

“I do know one thing I don’t like. Well, maybe two.” She pressed her hands together. “Actually, three.”

“All right. Tell me.”

Jilly took in a deep breath. “I don’t want to be humiliated.”

He nodded calmly as though he’d expected that. It made the tight knot in her stomach ease.

“You already knew I wouldn’t like that?” she asked.

“It makes sense with your upbringing.”

Right.

“I don’t want to be yelled at.”

This time, his face darkened. “That isn’t something I would ever do even if you wanted it.”

She’d figured that but thought it was best to say it.

“I don’t want you to tell me what I can and can’t wear.”

He tilted his head at her, studying her. Taking in the clothes she wore. “But you’d be all right with me commanding you in other areas?”

Huh?

“I enjoy taking command. I want you to obey me in the bedroom because that’s what I like. But I think that’s also what you want. And out of the bedroom too.”

Jilly knew she was bright red, but she nodded. “Yes, I think it is too. I just don’t want to lose myself.” That was her biggest worry. That she might become a shell of herself like her mother had.

Warmth filled his face. “We can figure out where your limits are.”

“I know you’re not him,” she reiterated. “However, I seem to have a few triggers because of him.”

“Understandable.”

Yes, she thought if anyone would understand, it would be him.

“I know you’d never harm me or hurt me. I couldn’t be here with you if I thought that. However, some things just throw meback into my childhood. Like being yelled at. Or told to keep quiet, to stay out of the way, or to keep my opinions to myself.”

“I won’t do that. I don’t want you to remain quiet or stay out of the way. I want to know what you think.”