Page 142 of Made Better Together

“What are you writing?”

“Just summarizing.” She holds it up so I can see. “I mean, this one isn’t complicated, but maybe some of the future categories will be.”

The next two topics are clothing and groupings, and we move through those quickly. On the latter, we both pick male-female pairings as favorites, with every other option a “no.” We hadn’t explicitly discussed that topic yet, so the clarity from this exercise is helpful.

The fourth topic is called “General” and is pretty random. Fingering, blowjobs, edging, face-sitting, and so forth. We both marked either “like” or “favorite” to all of these, except the one that reads “self-injury/self-humiliation.” That one’s a no on each sheet.

“You’ll see when I get to the pain section,” she says. “I’m not into anything that’s going to hurt—hurt you or me—and degradation is a no too.”

“Yeah, I don’t want you to be in pain, and it’s not a thing I’d enjoy either.”

We go through each category, and the more we continue, our ease in walking through our preferences grows. Another moment to build trust. I’m kind of kicking myself that we didn’t complete this list before the rooftop scene, but that fumble is part of being new at this, I guess.

I’m reassured by the fact that some of her favorites are things we did that night, like the blindfold. I take close notice of others she selects—bondage, sensory deprivation, vibrators, orgasm control, and orgasm denial, all for her, not for her partner.

I have all of those as likes or favorites for my partner, and my other favorites are “ass” related—ass worship, anal teasing and rimming, giving and receiving. I don’t mention this to Eden now, but Beatrice used to like exploring in that regard, which is how I know I do too.

She has anal teasing and rimming down as “interested,” but not as a “like” or “favorite.” Meaning it’s probably new to her. A discussion for another time. We can focus on what she enjoys most for now.

I did think of a question, though.

“You have all ‘no’s for the pain category, but you have orgasm denial as a favorite. I could…you could be uncomfortable if I edge you. That’s alright?”

Her eyes widen a fraction. “Good catch. Yes, that kind of…‘hurting’ is fine with me. It was other kinds of physical pain I was thinking of.”

In theory, all of this talk could’ve been a major turn-on, and in a couple of instances, images flash in my head of Eden and me acting out something we’re discussing, making my shorts snug. However, I keep them to myself, limit the conversation to just talking, so we can respect its purpose and finish.

Once we’re done, about forty-five minutes later, Eden sets her pen down on the bed. “Phew. That was good, yeah?”

I nod. “I’m glad we did it. I wish we’d found it even sooner.”

“It’s like a case study to see where…whether we’re compatible.” She smiles. “If only more people filled this out, and paid attention to their partners’ responses, the world would probably be a better place.”

“Truth.” I bite my lip, wanting to confirm one more time. “So you feel comfortable with all the common things on the list? In case I get inspired to try some of them spontaneously along the way?” Sometimes you can’t predict how sex will evolve.

“Definitely.”

“You can always use your safe word, no matter what.” That comment triggers a memory from my research. “I saw in something I read that subs sometimes use ‘yellow’ too, when they need their Dom to slow down? Maybe we should incorporate that as well, since we’ll be trying different things.”

She doesn’t look surprised. “I’ve seen that too. That sounds good.” She stands, setting her notebook on the desk, before sitting back down.

We’re quiet for several seconds, but it’s not an uncomfortable silence, at least to me.

Finally, she lifts the ends of her mouth again. “So you liked that I kept this shirt, huh?”

My eyes rake down her body, appreciating the sight of her in my tee once more. Nineteen-year-old me would have fucking lost it knowing that Eden Larsson would be wearing my shirt in her dorm room three years later.

“That alone made this night worth it.”

She giggles. “If only I knew what my clumsiness with the wine that night would bring about.”

“If I knew, I would’ve spilled it on you myself.”

“You were so impressive with those domestic skills. I was swooning.” She fans her hand over her face. “And the abs.”

“You know they’re even better now.”

“I might have noticed.”