Page 43 of Choosing Stella

“That’s exactly what I’m wondering.”

Heat gathered low in my abdomen.

Geo pushed away from the table but didn’t come toward me.

“You don’t have to prove anything to yourself tonight, and you don’t owe me anything because I’m protecting you.”

“I know.”

“Then tell me what you actually want.”

My nipples hardened beneath the thin cotton of my shirt.

“I want you to chase me.”

Geo drew a slower breath.

“You understand I’m not going to guess at the rules.”

“I’d be disappointed if you did.”

“Tell me all of them before we start.”

I moved around the table until nothing sat between us.

“We stay inside the secured part of the building. We don’t use exterior doors, weapons, or restraints. Give me ten seconds before you come after me. Once I start running, I’m going to fight being caught. I may tell you to let me go. That’s part of the scene.”

“What ends it?”

“If I say no or stop, you stop. Mercy is the safeword because I’m not going to say it by accident. If I can’t speak, I’ll tap you three times, fast.”

“Mercy, three rapid taps, and no or stop are hard stops.”

“Yes. If I go quiet and stop fighting, you stop too, even if I haven’t said anything.”

“I will.”

His answer came without hesitation.

“You’re very serious about this.”

“I’m serious about not hurting you.”

“You could hurt me without trying very hard.”

“I know that.”

My thighs pressed together.

Geo glanced toward the corridor leading deeper into the safe house.

“You haven’t seen the loading bay yet. I’ll show you the route before anything starts.”

“Is that where you keep the bodies?”

“I don’t keep bodies here.”

“You answered suspiciously fast.”