A/N My first attempt at erotica, exploring D/s dynamics. A massive thank you to ThisNameIsntTakenYet, Ruger, visioneer and stuffedshirt_perv for helping edit my story into submission. All feedback gratefully received. Thanks for reading and stay kinky.
xxxxx
"I'm stuffed." I held my stomach, standing up. "Do you want anything else?"
Sam passed his plate to me. "No, Jonesy, you've achieved the impossible. I'm full."
With a warm smile I headed into the kitchen, hardly believing Sam had just appeared on my doorstep telling me to get the kettle on. We'd been friends for years, but like some sort of awakening, I had finally realised I wanted more than a friendship. We'd danced around each other for what felt like forever before I made my feelings clear to him. With that Sam disappeared, no more phone calls or meals out. It confused and hurt me. I assumed he didn't have the heart to say he wasn't interested. But that was in the past, he was here now and even agreed to stay for my hastily made bolognese. I put the kettle on, got two mugs out, and mused this was a positive sign.
"Coffee?" I called towards the lounge.
"Go on then."
My grin grew. The evening was almost over yet Sam seemed willing to stay a little longer. I tried to calm my nerves, to behave like the adult I am and keep the lovesick teenager underwraps. A personal history of dating disasters made the man in my home stand head and shoulders above the rest. His grouchy persona hid a compassionate soul always ready to be a shoulder to cry on after another failed romance. And what broad strong shoulders they were. With a killer smile and eyes that drew you in, Sam was hot. But he carried his own baggage, so baby steps were all I could expect. Tonight I didn't anticipate anything more than coffee before he left. I hoped if nothing else, our friendship was back on track.
I handed him the drink and retook my seat on the sofa opposite.
"Are you still interested in Dom sub dynamics?" Sam asked bluntly.
My mug paused halfway to my mouth. I'd mentioned it a couple of months ago, as a way of exploring character interactions in fiction. Sam had surprised me by announcing he was a Dom and involved in the BDSM community. After my initial shock I recalled the numerous times he had tried to raise the subject, and my joking, often callous, replies. But since I'd expressed my desire to spend more time with him, he had not mentioned it again. His question came at me from left field.
I reminded myself this was Sam, my good friend, and so I answered honestly. "Yes, very."
He placed his drink on the low table between us and met my eyes. "Have you decided what side of the slash you are yet?"
Unable to hold his enquiring gaze, I dropped my eyes and focused on the mug, tightly clasped between both hands. "Not really."
When he didn't speak I nervously looked up to see him appraise me, patiently.
This wasn't how I expected the evening to go. Taking a deep breath, I continued. "I can tell you what Clare thinks I am."
"Clare? You're English Lit friend?"
I nodded.
Sam settled back on the sofa, still watching me. "What does she think?"
I forced myself to look at him. "A broken sub."
His eyebrows flew up.
I took a sip of coffee. "I've learnt to take control and be dominant, kinda to protect myself." I chewed my lower lip, hoping I explained it right. "But deep down I want to please."
Sam chuckled, which didn't help my nerves. "And what do you think?"
"I guess she could be right, but, um, I don't know."
"Do you want to?"
It was my turn to look at him, confused. "Want to what?"
"Well one sure fire way to find out is to try it." His genuine smile made me relax a little.
"You offering?" I teased.
His face turned serious. "Yes. I can let you experience being a sub. Then you'll know."
I nearly choked on my drink. This had just gone from nought to sixty real fast. Cautiously, I glanced at him to see if he meant it. The relaxed posture, ankle casually resting on his knee, didn't give anything away. I couldn't speak.
"If you're truly a sub, I could probably get you into subspace without laying a finger on you."
Emotions fought inside my stomach. I wanted him to touch me, be with me, yet all he offered was a clinical experiment. Curiosity warred with disappointment. Could I submit to someone I trusted and was attracted to? Hell, I'd let enough abusive, cruel men walk all over me. Sam had heard all of it, seen the bruises and quietly listened to stories of the sexual exploits I had got up to with them.
He carried on, filling the uncomfortable silence. "You don't like the idea of spanking. Why?"
A sensible question and one we'd discussed when I first mentioned BDSM. Knowing I should answer him, I took a deep breath. "My dad was many bad things." I dragged my eyes up to meet his; I had to be honest. "He was a very violent man. Corporal punishment was his thing. I-I just can't see how that can be erotic." My cheeks flushed.
Sam appeared to be immune to my discomfort. "And names like slut, you have an issue with them?"
I couldn't believe he had remembered my discombobulated ramble from months ago. My face heated more. "It sounds so...demeaning." I quickly took another mouthful of coffee.
"If I don't spank you or call you names, do you want to see?"
I cringed at the exposure of the conversation. Humour was my best defence. "See?" I challenged, with a forced grin
Sam laughed. The sound made me smile more genuinely.
"It's called a scene and you experience it." He sat forward, propping his elbows on his knees. "My aim is to get you out of your overly analytical head, so you just feel. Think of it as a holiday from yourself."
"I like holidays." I smirked back. Okay, this wasn't what I really wanted, but Clare said I shouldn't run from my vulnerability. Who better to try and be real with than a man I respected and liked?
"You say stop and I will." His tone softened. "I promise."
"Okay, I'm game," I said with as much confidence as I could muster.
"First off, you're not to speak unless I ask you a question. Do you understand?"
I nodded, putting my mug down on the table.
"I asked you a question." His tone became deeper. "I expect a reply."
I sat up, nerves tingling down my back. "Yes, I understand," I said slowly.