tight in his.
“So, when you talk about micro rituals,” Coop asked, and I wasn’t the only one who twisted to look at him, “and that exchange, is it possible in a relationship with more dominants than submissives that there can be conflicting messages, or more positively stated, more specific messages to communicate different needs to different dominants?”
“Well that’s kind of a two-part question,” Lyssa began when Richard glanced at her. The interesting thing was the dynamic when it came to who answered what. They deferred to each other, not always on the relationship dynamics in the question that was answered, but maybe the one who had more experience? Maybe? “So let me address one part. A submissive, no matter who they are, will never have the exact same relationship with more than one dominant. Just like in life, in a power exchange, our relationships are unique. What a submissive may ask of one dominant, she might not of another.”
“Alternatively,” Richard answered, “the relationship requires a lot of trust, communication, and negotiation. So depending on whether it is a lifestyle—where you live it twenty-four-seven or you are only engaging in scene play—will also play a part in it, because a sub could send conflicting messages to two different dominants without intending to. So ahead of time, there needs to be a decision on who is the final arbiter. Being a Dom is about control and giving, but multiple people can’t drive a car, even if a passenger can help with the directions.”
“Fair enough,” Coop said, satisfied, and I half-listened to the other questions being asked. Frankie didn’t ask any, but I caught her and Lyssa locking gazes. I had a feeling she would want to talk to the other woman before we were done.
Sure enough, when the “class” ended, everyone was offered a chance to make use of the different scene areas, and there were others present who were members of the club who were prepared to help or act as guides.
“I’ll be back,” Frankie told me and the guys before squeezing my hand and letting it go as she stood. Yep, straight to Lyssa she went. I tracked her, and I liked that Richard backed off when Frankie got there with a small smile and nod to her.
“Stop glaring,” Coop advised as he clapped me on the shoulder. I didn’t elbow him in the gut, but I thought about it. I wasn’t glaring.
Archie chuckled, and I sighed.
Okay, maybe I was glaring a little.
“Well?” Bubba asked as he folded his arms and moved to stand with us. The four of us were more in a horseshoe than a circle. The opening perfect for Frankie to rejoin us.
“Interesting,” Coop said. “I’m definitely down to learn more.”
“Not sure I’m into all the play,” Archie admitted, though he divided his attention between Frankie and the sessions starting up around us. Thankfully, clothes seemed to stay on—and never mind. One woman was out of her top. “Not like this.”
“No,” Bubba agreed, thank fuck. “Though she doesn’t mind if you guys watch.”
Coop grinned, and I snorted softly.
“What?” Bubba asked as he glanced at me, and I shook my head.
“Nothing, just…processing all of it. It’s a lot more complicated than it sounds, and at the same time…”
“Kind of straightforward and simple,” Archie finished for me. “Communication. Observation. Giving.”
“We do all those things.” We had been, particularly the last few months. We’d all been more open about what we needed or wanted. I’d definitely been paying more attention and not just to Frankie.
“Yep,” Coop agreed, hands tucked into his pockets. Frankie and Lyssa were deep in discussion. “Any idea what that’s about?”
“Five bucks it’s research or homework,” I offered.
“I’ll take that bet,” Archie said. “She’s asking for advice.”
“That could be research,” I countered.
“No, research is when she wants to understand a topic, advice is when she’s looking for solutions for herself.” He smirked at me, and I frowned. He had a point.
“You’re both wrong,” Coop said. “She’s asking about future classes, or that one on one coaching they had on the board up front.”
I must have missed that. But as one, all three of us looked at Bubba. He just grinned and folded his arms. “I don’t need to bet. I know what she wanted to talk to her about.”
Lucky jerk.
I scratched at my jaw. Still, I had to admit the whole intrigued me. But I wasn’t sure about the punishment aspects. Then again, I did like slapping her very sweet ass, and I loved how she wiggled