"Talking. Spending time together. Learning what works for both of us in this dynamic." His hand traces patterns on my arm. "I want to set some ground rules. Things that will help you take better care of yourself."
My pulse quickens. "Like what?"
"Like making sure you eat three real meals a day. Not just living off sugary pastries and coffee."
"Okay."
"Like closing the shop on time. No staying late to do extra work that can wait until tomorrow."
"That's harder. Sometimes things come up?—"
"Then you text me and we talk about whether it's actually urgent or if you're using work to avoid resting."
I don't have a response to that because he's right. I do use work as an excuse.
"And," he continues, his voice going deeper, "you'll check in with me every day. Let me know how you're doing. If you're stressed or overwhelmed or just need someone to talk to."
"What if I forget?"
"Then I'll remind you. Gently at first. But Chloe—" He tilts my face up to look at him. "If you consistently ignore the rules we set, there will be consequences. That's how this dynamic works."
"What kind of consequences?"
"That depends on what you need. Some Littles respond to loss of privileges. Others need something more... physical. To help them process and reset."
My mouth goes dry. "Physical like...?"
"Like a spanking. But we'd talk about that first. Establish boundaries. Make sure it's something you actually want and need, not something I'm imposing on you."
The word spanking hangs in the air between us. I imagine him pulling me over his strong thighs and spanking my bare ass and I swear, my nipples tighten and my underwear dampens. The idea turns me on and frightens me at the same time.
"Have you ever been spanked?" he asks gently. "As an adult, I mean. In a dynamic."
"No. I've read about it. Fantasized about it. But never actually?—"
"Would you want to? Explore that?"
"Maybe. It sounds scary." Scary and wonderful all at once.
"It can be. But it can also be cathartic. A way to let go of guilt or stress or anxiety." His hand cups my face. "But only if it's something you choose. Something you consent to. I would never force that on you."
"What if I don't like it?"
"Then we stop. Immediately. And we try something else." His eyes are steady on mine. "This only works if we're both getting what we need. If something doesn't feel right, you tell me. That's the most important rule of all."
"Okay."
"Promise me, Chloe. Promise you'll use your safe words. That you'll speak up if I push too hard or cross a line."
"I promise."
"Good girl." He pulls me back against his chest. "Now watch the movie. We'll talk more about rules and boundaries later. Right now, I just want to hold you."
I settle against him, and we watch Moana. His hand strokes my hair, and the gentle rhythm is hypnotic.
My eyelids start to droop.
"Go ahead," Tyler murmurs. "Take a nap. I've got you."
