Deeper: A Hideaway Novella Read Free

within an inch of their lives, and undergoes
regular health checks. We’re trained in advanced first aid techniques, and we’re
given courses in human psychology and sexuality, plus the courses that we teach
in-house, to share best practice. Basically,’ he smiled, ‘you’d be hard-pressed
to find a saner or more competent bunch of people. It has to be that way,
because of the nature of the work we do.’  
    She leaned back against the bench. ‘That’s a comfort.’
    ‘I have a lot of experience in helping all kinds of people get in
touch with their own sexuality, and have fun with it. It doesn’t have to be
serious, or intimidating. Some people like it that way, and that’s fine. Others
prefer a less intense scene. Like everything to do with sex, there’s a sliding
scale of how much, and what kind, of kinkiness you’re comfortable with.’
    She looked at him. ‘And just how much, and what kind, of kinkiness
are you comfortable with, Jake?’
    He smiled. ‘I like to keep an open mind.’ He paused a moment. ‘I’m
also a sadist. Do you know what that means?’
    Her mouth fell open. ‘You… enjoy hurting people?’
    He shifted, seeming to be searching for the right words. ‘Yes, but
let me qualify that by saying, I enjoy hurting people who want to be hurt. It’s
all about the exchange of power, and the submissive is always the one with
ultimate power. As their Dom, I’ll give them what they want, or need, within
the parameters that we’ve agreed. Pain has a profound psychological effect on
both the giver and the receiver which I find fascinating and liberating. It can
produce incredible pleasure and release. If I’m going to push someone’s
boundaries, I’ll tell them in advance, and they always have the option to pause
or stop the scene.’
    ‘Do you punish people?’ she said, warily.
    He grinned. ‘Yes. But again, only to the extent that we’ve agreed.
Some people enjoy being frightened; they get an adrenalin rush from it the way
you do on a scary rollercoaster, and it can make their orgasms more intense.
And just like a rollercoaster, you know you can surrender to the fear and enjoy
it, because you’re safe. Your Dom’s first responsibility is to keep you
physically and psychologically safe.’
    She raised her eyebrows. ‘Even when they’re whipping you bloody,
or branding you?’
    He nodded. ‘Especially then. I know it’s hard to wrap your head
around. If a sub wants to be marked in some way, their Dom will make the call
as to whether they can do it without causing unwanted or excessive damage, and
are capable of providing the necessary aftercare. We don’t want people ending up
in the ER, having to explain themselves to doctors; that’s no fun, and it’s
terrible for the business’s reputation, and the reputation of the community as
a whole.’
    ‘You sound like a teacher,’ she said. He sounded like a
professional, like someone who was supremely competent at mastering people
physically and psychologically, and yeah, it was a huge turn on.
    He laughed. ‘Sorry. Last week I taught an induction course for new
staff.’ His expression grew serious again. ‘Is this helping, or not? There are
plenty of people who play without pain. Some Doms find it difficult or
impossible to inflict pain. I don’t. But only so long as the person receiving
it is enjoying it. I get a charge out of their trust in me, and the power that
they give me in allowing me to flog them, or whatever it happens to be, but I
don’t get a kick out of hurting people who don’t want to be hurt.’ He squeezed
her hand reassuringly. ‘And just to be totally clear; I would never, ever hurt
you without your consent. That would be an unforgivable betrayal of the trust
you placed in me.’
    She knew that; they’d spent enough time together in and out of bed
that if he had some kind of pathological need to cause pain, it probably would
have come out by now, but she’d never experienced anything but kindness