Chapter 2
Kennedy
“Do you even know his name?”
I wasn’t sure why that was important, but I shook my head. “No, I don’t care what his name is unless it’s something I’ll never be able to pronounce. His views on scenes and what restaurants he likes are higher on the list. What if he’s vegan? That fake cheese makes me gassy.”
Our chatty neighbor smiled. “We don’t want that.”
“Not if we’re planning on me bottoming. It gives me a stomachache.” Trying to inch farther over the wall and see what his bulge looked like, I smiled and stayed on topic. “Do you like to top? I’ve heard some Doms prefer to bottom, but I’m kind of fond of that position, so I’d rather not trade.”
He nodded.
Thank goodness.
“Yes. I prefer to top but I’m open to trying other things if that’s what you wanted. I understand Dom does not equal top.” Looking smart and not overly stubborn, he shrugged. “I think it’s more of a control thing for me.”
Made sense to me.
“So you’re really a Dom and you won’t make me eat fake stuff? I tried that and it didn’t work.” The vegan guy himself hadn’t worked either. He’d been a pain in the ass. The bad kind of pain in the ass. “Oh, and you really don’t mind sharing?”
Yes, that was just as important to iron out.
Some people were just helpful and weren’t really into stuff.
“How do you end up doing this to me?” Francis sighed like he was being tortured. “We’re going to get kicked out.”
The slightly confusing guy cocked his head. “I thought he was quiet and kind of shy, but he’s really dramatic, isn’t he?”
“You have no idea, and he’s always worried.” Shaking my head got another smile from the interesting man. “But he’s patient and generally lets me talk about anything I want to because otherwise he’d have to come up with conversations. He’s a bit too much of an introvert to do that constantly.”
“You don’t have that problem.” The sexy smile he was wearing made it clear he didn’t mind and I was glad he’d made it obvious. “I like knowing what you’re thinking and what interests you sexually. It wouldn’t do any good for us to get to know each other and then figure out we have different views on important limits.”
Oh, he was logical.
That was kind of sexy in an unexpected way.
“You wouldn’t mind dating someone who wanted to experience other penises?” I wanted to make sure we got that point ironed out before we got any further into the getting to know each other phase. “I’m not really sure why most people find that to be…what is it called?”
“A hard limit.” Francis seemed to be finding his ability to talk to strangers…it seemed to be mixed up with his drama queen moments.
“Yes, thank you.”
Francis sighed again and it sounded a bit like his head had hit the table. “You’re welcome.”
“Everyone has different limits. I like sharing as long as I have ownership of my special toy.” The sexy man’s wicked grin said I could be his sexy toy.
He’d own me.
That would be fun.
“But according to the rules I’ve read and what you said, I’d list out my limits to explain in detail what I’m comfortable with. Then, like you said, you’d design scenes around that.” This was getting better and better.
I’d get what I wanted and he’d own me and I wouldn’t have to do all the work.
Why didn’t more people do this?
“Yes, your limits are important and would never be ignored, but I might push them sometimes and I might try to find unexpected ways to give you what you want.” Something in his eyes flashed like he already knew how to give me what I wanted.
I loved helpful people.
“So to be clear, I am a Dom. I don’t have an issue with sharing as long as I am one hundred percent completely in charge. I’m not vegan, but depending on your diet, I might insist on you consuming more vegetables. Fiber is an important part of a bottom’s life and you can’t live off chicken nuggets no matter what shape they come in.”
Huh?
“His last sub was probably a little.” Francis seemed to be enjoying being helpful because my new friend nodded. “They’re cute but stubborn about food.”
“That’s good to know.” People were fascinating. “I’m not one of them, though. I just want to be controlled, used, and encouraged to experiment.”
I didn’t think that should be hard to manage, but according to the people I’d been dating, it was.
“I find that list to be acceptable. I liked the gentleman I was dating, but we wanted different things out of a relationship. So you not being little is not a problem.” Our chatty neighbor smiled wider. “I like your list and thank you for making sure it was very clear.”
Ha, he liked helpful people too.
It was going to be a match made in heaven.
“Are there other things that would be deal-breakers for you besides restaurants with fake cheese?” He studied me, taking the matter as seriously as it should be. “For me, having a lack of control over my sub’s life would be problematic. So, if you’re looking for someone to just handle dominating you in a scene and then leaving you alone outside of that or just having a vanilla boyfriend type of relationship, I’m going to end up driving you insane.”
“Some people are hard to please.” I shrugged. “We can’t worry about them. But you will be happy to know I like the idea of being owned as long as you’re not weird…or limiting my food choices in frustrating ways.”
New Neighbor smiled. “As long as your diet includes the appropriate fruits and vegetables that you can safely consume and we can reach a reasonable compromise on junk food, I think we’ll be fine.”
“I don’t have allergies or food issues. That’s what you meant, right?” I was hoping I was right when he nodded. “Okay, good. I don’t have any of those and I eat a healthy mix of vegetables and fruits.”
I’d been raised eating a lot of them and it was one of the only things I hadn’t run from.
“Then I think we’ll be fine on that front.” He finally frowned. “Describe being weird for me, though.”
Hmm.
“There was that guy who said you couldn’t wear red. He was weird.” Francis was being helpful again. “Oh, and that woman who wanted you to kneel every time you spoke to her. You still can’t go back in that McDonald’s.”
“Yes, those would be good examples.” I sighed that time but my new friend just raised his eyebrows. “That made my knees hurt and other people uncomfortable. I’m not doing that. Oh, and I don’t wear much red but I won’t accept that wearing it makes me a slut or that it’s unlucky or extra lucky…it was something and I’m not cleaning out my closet that thoroughly for anyone.”
My new friend nodded slowly. “So you’re bi?”
Yes. That was probably the most important part of the explanation. “Probably not? I wasn’t sure if it was just the controlling thing I was looking for or if the parts were important too.”
“Women make him nervous and are really confusing, so either way you don’t have to worry about him wanting one.” Francis cut right to the important parts too.
“I don’t have an issue with bisexual people, but I want to explain that I am gay. Very gay. I don’t have any desire to see you sleep with a woman.” His face scrunched up. “Even with a strap-on. I think I’m going to say that’s a limit for me.”
He’d found a new one.
I was helpful too.
“Okay. I don’t mind that.” I wasn’t sure what to do with them anyway. “I think I’m more about the person and the control aspects too.”
“What would be your favorite type of control?” My new friend asked the best questions.
“Oh.” That was hard, though. “Orgasm control as long as I got to come on a regular basis. You should want to know where I am so I can’t wander off willy-nilly.”
What else?
“You want him to give you some random rules.” Francis was feeling much more confident than he had last time we’d gone out to meet men. He was talking and helpful. “Like times to text him or something like that.”
“Yes. That kind of thing.” I needed to know he was thinking about me. “How does that sound to you?”
“It’s very reasonable and it’s sexy.” His smile went from happy to like he was imagining doing wicked things to me.
Yay.
“And I think I’m starting to understand what you mean.” Shifting to the side so he was almost turned around on his bench, he gave me another steamy look. “I’m going to have questions on your views on spankings, punishments, pain…those kinds of things, but I think we are very compatible.”
“He’s going to want to be spanked but he’s never trusted anyone to do it before. Assholes don’t get to see your asshole.” Francis really liked my new friend, but he hadn’t actually picked his head up from the table, so I wasn’t sure how much he liked him.
The interesting guy blinked and nodded. “That’s very smart, but we can take that part slow and explore spankings and pain over time. There’s no rush and there are a lot of pain-free ways I can control you.”
That was good to know but—
“Not too slow. He’ll die of curiosity and he’ll make me suffer by endlessly complaining.”
Well, Francis wasn’t wrong, so I shrugged when the sexy man laughed. “Noted.”
“Just because I haven’t found the right person to start my journey with doesn’t mean I’m not excited for the trip.” I’d just met more ridiculous people than was statistically reasonable. “But it would be helpful if you let me know your red flags up front.”
When I waited to see what he’d say, he frowned thoughtfully and leaned his elbow on the table…thinking but not looking pissed.
It was a good start.
“You seem to like the control thing, which was the big red flag for other guys.” He went back to thinking and shrugged. “The not getting jealous about physical stuff in a scene…like what we’ve talked about…that would probably be another, but not to you.”
“I think that’s good to know.” Maybe.
Turning to Francis, I frowned. “What would I consider a red flag or a problem?”
“If he gave another sub a lot of rules or if he ignored you. You’re an attention whore.”
“Oh, right.” Reaching back, I patted his head. “Thank you.”
Our new friend was back to smiling when I focused on him again. “I’m an attention whore, and if you make rules for other subs and give them more attention than me, I’ll become a pain in the ass.”
He laughed.
It was another good sign.
“I will not make rules for other subs while we are dating or doing scenes together, and I will focus my rules on making sure I’m demanding attention or giving you attention.” His smile got wider when I sighed. “I thought you’d like that.”
I was starting not to care what his other red flags were.
Most people didn’t know what theirs were, so I knew there’d be something unexpected at the very least, but as long as he wasn’t some kind of serial killer, I could adapt.
As long as it didn’t make me gassy.
“I do.” And the excitement just wanted to burst out of me. “I don’t know if I have other red flags I haven’t told you about, but so far you don’t mind mine and I’m not trying to hide anything.”
Francis scoffed. “He’s already seeing you at your most interesting.”
Our bar neighbor laughed. “I’m thoroughly enjoying the interesting bits and all the teasing he’s done about the scene he wants to explore.”
“Thank you.” He was so sweet…and polite for making sure I knew he was still excited about our plans. “I’m glad I don’t have to worry about surprising you. Entirely too many people ask what you’ve been thinking about but don’t actually want to know.”
“Me. I’m too many people.” Francis groaned again. “Okay, I’m peopled out already. I don’t even want to be around me at this point. If I go home, are you going to be okay?”
“Yes.”
Our neighbor looked concerned, though.
“Don’t worry. He lasted longer than I thought he would and he’s actually talked this time. His level of peopling is getting better. We actually left his apartment.” It was impressive. “And he talked to you a lot.”
Neighbor Man nodded. “I’m proud of him then. It sounds like he’s getting out of his comfort zone and doing interesting things. It’s also good that he knows his limits.”
“Interesting things. Yes, anything involving Kennedy is always interesting.” Francis managed to straighten and pushed his beer over toward me. “Here. Thank you for my drink. Thank you for keeping me entertained and reminding me why I go out so rarely.”
“See you for pizza night.”
Oh.
I turned back to Neighbor Guy. “I’m Kennedy. We only do pizza night once a week because it’s a low interaction activity. We watch movies and he ignores me while I talk to the TV. But I’m not eating junk food every night.”
Neighbor Guy smiled wider but turned to talk to Francis as he started to leave. “I’m Anson. I was supposed to meet a friend, but he had to cancel unexpectedly. I’ve been coming here on and off for years. I know the owner. He can vouch for me if you’re worried.”
Francis shook his head as he waved. “No. You haven’t yelled at Kennedy yet and you’re still smiling. You’re safer than his last five dates at the very least.”
Probably.
“Have fun at home. Do something relaxing to recharge.” I didn’t think I was exhausting, but he said I drained his battery when we went out in public. “Thank you for coming to hang out with me. I liked the movie.”
Giving me a smile, Francis waved at me too. “Me too. I’ll see you Wednesday.”
“Does this mean you’re mine for the rest of the evening?” Anson raised one eyebrow but smiled when I nodded. “Come here then. You’re entirely too far away.”
Yay.
That meant touching.
Maybe if I wasn’t too annoying, he’d cuddle me?
Fingers crossed because he looked like a good cuddler.