Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75457 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75457 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
They were not the same thing no matter how many authors used the words interchangeably.
“Thank you for being clear on that.” My human agent radiated calm confidence, making it obvious he liked knowing my limits.
I’d pleased him.
Relief rushed through me making it easier to think about everything else, and he made the feeling even stronger as he finally closed the distance between us and wrapped his arms around me. My agent was tall for a human and it was easy to fit against him so my head rested on his shoulder.
When he tightened his hold, I couldn’t hold back the shiver that raced through me but it had him letting out a pleased sound and nuzzling against my neck. “Good boy. I’m glad you like my touch.”
Good boy.
Oh.
That.
That was as pleasant in person as it had seemed in my books.
“I do.” I hadn’t expected it, but I probably should have. From what I’d seen, mates liked touching and Toman seemed to have a strong need to touch Wren. “I had too many thoughts at one time to be able to articulate my needs.”
Yes, that was a good word.
“I thought that was what was happening, but thank you for making that clear.” As one hand started stroking my back, he made another pleased sound. “I’m glad you understand how important verbal communication is for me. I can’t read you as well as I would like yet, and I don’t want to inadvertently upset you.”
Yes. I needed to explain the best way he could focus his caretaking instincts on me.
Humans involved in domination and submission relationships needed clear boundaries and loved to remind each other that they could not read minds.
My human agent could not read my mind…well…not yet, but I ignored that for now.
“So far your instincts with me have been accurate even though we come from different cultures.” I had no complaints about his behavior toward me or the way he kept others at what was called arm’s length.
“I’m glad, but I was very pleased when you made it clear you only wanted touches when we’re in private. I like knowing what you’re comfortable with and I would like to know more about what you want or what expectations you have.” My human agent paused for a moment to think before he continued.
He was thoughtful when it came to taking care of me.
“I’m most comfortable with a relationship that’s based on caretaking, and knowing what you like makes me very happy.”
He was sometimes too thoughtful when it came to taking care of me.
“You may use the human domination words.” Did he think they would upset or confuse me? “I…I have read extensively about a variety of those relationships. I will not be shocked.”
No matter what aspects of it he liked.
Lorne had a large and very interesting library.
“I need you to tell me if I ask you something that upsets or offends you, though.” Still holding and caressing me, he ran his nose up my neck sending shivers through me again. “Can you do that for me?”
“Yes.” He had questions but there was something else.
Oh.
“Um, do I need to explain that I have come to the realization that I would be the submissive in a human domination-style relationship?” It could be considered confusing or controversial depending on the story.
Ah.
He relaxed and even gave the quiet laughter sound called a chuckle that sometimes showed relief. “Yes, thank you for pointing that out. Just reading about something like submission doesn’t mean you can see yourself in that situation.”
Yes.
“I have read about aliens with tentacles or being a human college student and neither of those will ever apply to me.” I shrugged when he laughed again. “I do not have enough magic to become a monster as some mages can do.”
My human agent shook but tried to cover his laughter. When he finally stopped, he reached up to run one hand over my head and play with my hair. “I’m grateful for that, honestly. I don’t need you to become an ogre or tentacle alien.”
He had heard about Lorne as well.
“I’m grateful for that too, but books on the subject of monsters are interesting.” And also made me feel less alien. Compared to others, I was only an alien in a small way. “When I first started reading, I would have been more uncomfortable with the topic, but I have gotten more confident with it.”
I may not have liked the diner men, but being away from them let me understand it was helpful to see such relationships as normal.
“I’m guessing that’s something we’re not going to address in public, though, right?” He made a happy humming sound when I nodded against him. “I thought so. But we know that we can talk about anything we want in private or behave in any way that we both agree on.”