Page 142 of Merciless Daddy

“What room?”

“Your room.”

“What color are the walls?”

She went quiet.

Then, “Red.”

I stopped. Immediately.

“No more touch,” I said. “You did exactly right.”

I removed the blindfold first.

Her eyes opened too wide. She blinked against the light, looking at me as if she had crossed some distance and needed to make sure I was still there.

“I’m here,” I said. “I’m here, baby girl.”

Her throat moved.

I unfastened the wrist cuffs from the frame but left them around her wrists while I examined her hands. Warm. Pink. No numbness. No swelling.

“Can you feel my fingers?” I asked, touching each fingertip.

“Yes.”

“Any pain?”

“No.”

“Drink this, honey.”

I held the glass while she drank. Her hands were still cuffed, and I did not make her struggle for it.

When she finished, I set the glass down and sat beside her on the bed.

“What needs to change?”

She stared at the ceiling.

“I think I need to see you.”

“While tied?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Her eyes found mine.

“Because I know you’re there, but I need to actually see you.”

“All right.”

I brushed my knuckles over her cheek.

“Thank you for using your safeword. I know it’s difficult. You were so brave.”