Stray Read Online Free PDF Page B

muffled by the fan, I leaned over the sink to wash my face. The cold water did very little to calm my nerves or to lower the temperature in Dylan’s house. We weren’t on neutral ground anymore.
    I relieved myself and stepped back out into the hall, immediately lowering my gaze when I saw Dylan standing outside, a bottle of water in either hand.
    “Ready?”
    I bobbed my head, holding my breath as he opened the other door, which I could only assume led down into a basement or some kind of family room.
    “What about Marnie?” I asked, standing at the top of the steps.
    “She’ll join us later,” Dylan promised, slowly making his way down the stairs.
    I followed close behind him, wincing whenever one of the steps creaked under my weight. As soon as we reached the first landing, the door upstairs locked. It’s just Marnie. Clenching my jaw, I steeled myself for whatever was waiting at the bottom of the steps. The lights Dylan used were dim, a soft glow clinging to the walls.
    I turned and continued down the stairs until we reached the bottom.
    “Welcome to my dungeon,” Dylan said, squeezing my hand.
    Dungeon? I forced myself to look up, my shoulders tensing as I did. He wasn’t kidding. My vision swept across the room, and I took in all of Dylan’s toys. Floggers sat on a rack at one end of the room, and a vertical X was standing across from us.
    “We’ll get to those later,” Dylan said, resting a hand on my shoulder. “Are you frightened?”
    “I…” I stared at the dark walls and carpeting. “No, Master.”
    “You need to be honest with me. Are you scared?”
    “No, Master.”
    “Nervous?”
    “Yes, Master.”
    “Good girl. Nerves are normal, but we won’t be playing in the dungeon today.”
    I furrowed my brow. If we weren’t going to play, then why were we down here in the first place?
    As if he could read my thoughts, Dylan said, “We’re down here so I can inspect you. I like to look my subs over before playing with them. This is also a good time for you to tell me if you have any allergies. Are you allergic to any metals?”
    “No, Master.”
    “Do you have any phobias? Are you afraid of anything? Crowded spaces, perhaps?”
    “Do spiders count?”
    He smiled. “Not in this dungeon, no, but it’s still good to know. Do you have any questions before we begin?”
    “No, Master.”
    “Good girl.” Dylan held his arms behind his back. “Stand in the centre of the room. I want you to remove all your clothing.”
    I bit at my bottom lip and eyed the stairs.
    “Am I scaring you?” Dylan asked, resting a hand under my chin.
    “No, Master.”
    “Are you nervous?”
    “Yes, Master.”
    “Remember, you can put the brakes on this at any time. Even though I’m your Dom and you have given me control over you, you’re still in control. Your safe words allow you to stop anything I’m doing at any time. Tell me your safe words.”
    “Red and yellow, Master.”
    “And what do they do?”
    “Yellow to slow down and red to stop, Master.”
    “Very good. Now, go to the centre of the room.” He squared his shoulders, nodding in my direction. “I promise not to touch you until you’re ready.”
    It isn’t the touching I’m worried about. I swallowed and did as he had asked, stepping towards the middle of the room before facing him again. I locked my hands behind me and inclined my head.
    “Was I not clear?” Dylan glared at me, his lips thin. “Remove your clothes.”
    I closed my eyes, trying to ignore the heated skin on my back and the scars he’d find there. Taking a deep breath, I unbuttoned my blouse, letting it fall to the carpeting around my feet. I then unclasped my bra, adding it, along with my skirt and panties, to the pile. Once I had removed my sandals, I stood and awaited his next order.
    “On your knees,” Dylan said, his voice short.
    A tremor shot up my spine as I lowered myself to the ground. Resting on my knees, I kept my hands behind my back and bowed my head. I