* * *

Nearing 11:00 p.m., Sawyer was finally finished with his homework and ready for some sensual playtime. He cut some fresh fruit, caramelized a bit of sugar, and filled a bowl with ice cubes. Next, he brought out his emergency candles and placed it all on a tray.  He crept into his bedroom as quietly as possible and lit the candles and placed them on the nightstand. Tip-toeing to his closet, he brought out three of his best silk ties and a dark-brown, worn leather belt, laying them on the bed next to Sarah. His eyes wandered around his bedroom, searching out more play things. The flame of the candle glinted off a pair of platinum cufflinks that were lying on his night stand and wicked inspiration hit him. He touched the sharp edge of one to his fingertip noting that the prickly end would work well for the sensual sadism he had planned. He smiled and placed it next to the other items.

After undressing, he turned up the heat in his condo to a sweltering 90 degrees, wanting to see Sarah sweaty and uncomfortable while he teased and pleased her body. While he waited for the air around him to heat up, he found the perfect song to play, Stay the Night by Zedd and Hayley Williams.

Seated on the edge of the bed, he watched and waited, wondering what Sarah was dreaming about.  Her eyelids flicked and she mumbled something unintelligible. Tracing his thumb over her bottom lip, he leaned down and kissed the corner of her mouth.

When the air became sultry, a fine layer of sweat beaded on her forehead and she kicked off the covers.

“Snowflake,” he whispered while gliding his fingers down the center of her glistening double D’s.

Sarah’s eyes fluttered open and strained against the darkened room.

Ghosting his fingers down her arms, he gripped her wrists and pulled her arms above her head in one swift motion, the corners of his mouth ruffling into a sinful grin. “Want to play?”

Without saying a word she returned his smile and nodded compliantly, her eyes gleaming brightly and reflecting the glowing light that flickered nearby.

“Be a very good girl and lie still for me, okay?”

Again, she only nodded.  Reaching for his favorite fandango pink, paisley printed tie, he slipped it around her eyes, tying it tightly and shielding all light from her vision. The next two ties were used to secure her ankles to the footboard, and the belt he used to bind her wrists together.

She breathed lightly through parted lips with each of Sawyer’s movements, small moans occasionally slipping out. He pressed his mouth to her throat and flicked his tongue over the bend of her neck. With every lick of her sweat-covered skin, he tasted her acquiescence. It was delicious and entrancing, and his need for her grew more.

Hovering over her and staring down at her covered eyes, he asked, “How much do you want me, Sarah?”

Her bottom lip trembled, “More than I want to admit.”

“Show me.”

* * *

Sawyer woke hours later to the sound of out-of-tune guitar strings in the distance. Unsure if he was still dreaming, he reached an arm out only to feel an empty bed next to him. Rising, he followed the sound and found Sarah in the darkened living room sitting in his large chair with her feet tucked beneath her and awkwardly strumming the guitar. He watched her quietly for several minutes, fascinated by the fire that she stoked within his heart. The serenity that she evoked within him was the thing he longed for even more than her beauty and curves.

“Let’s tune it,” he commented, sitting next to her and taking hold of the instrument. When she attempted to stand, he pulled her down next to him, their bodies pressed tightly together.  After tuning it by ear, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. He placed the guitar between her arms again, guiding her hands and fingers into the D chord position. Sarah curled into the curve of his body, allowing his instruction. They sat wordless like that for several minutes as he continued to move her fingers into place through several mellow chords. Memories of Serena washed over him and his body stilled.

Looking up at Sawyer, Sarah’s eyes glimmered with understanding and she touched his mouth. “I’m sorry for your loss,” she whispered, the light that was filtering through the large window making her ethereal features glow. “If it’s not too much to ask, can you play something for me?”

Unable to deny the heartfelt request, he gave her a tentative smile and took the guitar from her hands. “Only for you, Snowflake.”

He played a few chords absent-mindedly and suddenly grinned widely. He knew just the song to play. Without further delay, he started plucking the strings to the upbeat tune You’re the Shit 2 Me by Elvis Orbison. His deep, rich voice resonated through the small condo and Sarah’s eyes widened with shock from the lyrics, but the joy on her face was purely genuine.

“You’re the kind of girl that just might get me fired.  You’re so fucked up, but you’re the shit to me…” he sang on, enjoying the stunned and cheerful look on her face as he serenaded her. “I know it sounds foolish, but I really get the feeling that we were meant to be…” he sang louder than before, losing himself in the moment and the look in her sparkling eyes.

Without warning, Sarah jumped up and began swinging her hips in time and dancing around in only her panties and bra, all the while smiling radiantly.

“You have the most delightful taste in music,” she giggled wildly.

Sawyer paused briefly to join in laughing but finished the song in full, his mouth dry and parched when he was done. Sarah took the guitar from his hands and set it aside, then threw herself onto Sawyer and hugged his neck tightly while straddling him.

“Thank you, Sir. Thank you…”

He took her face in his hands and kissed her passionately. “No, thank you, Snowflake. I’ve haven’t been this content in a very, very long time.”

Chapter 15

Sawyer sped home from work, impatient to see his Snowflake. She had the day off and they were looking forward to a night at the Dark Asylum to demonstrate his newly found talent at breath play.  With all the hands-on training Sarah had provided him, it wasn’t even necessary for Dylan and Isabel to help. They had been practicing all week for his private scene with Ciara, but he was excited to try his hand in front of an audience to get their collective opinion.

During his drive, his thoughts drifted to the previous week and how it had been spent with Sarah at his condo. It hadn’t taken much persuading to get her to stay and they had decided it would be a good exercise in learning his role as a Dominant while having his submissive on hand at all times. She had brought over work clothes and he was more than happy to chauffeur her around.  It not only allowed him to be in control and know her whereabouts at all times, but being responsible for her safety gave him a sense of purpose.

With built up vacation time, Dylan had insisted he take a few days off to get as much practice as possible with breath play and he was grateful for it. It not only gave him more time with Sarah, but ample opportunity to get hands on training from her and a few others who had experience at the club.

He and Sarah had worked out the upcoming scene together and had even gone as far as rehearsing it in the privacy of his bedroom.  Time-and-time again she had submitted to his every whim and never shied away when he wanted to try something new. They had put to good use her under bed restraint system and waterproof sheets, and Sarah had been correct: they didn’t need a dungeon to make playtime memorable.