Her breasts were on fire, the constant pulling and tugging when she didn't keep pace, the compression even when she did. But the submission the exercise demanded, and the mental places he'd stepped her through since she walked through his kitchen door, made it deliciously excruciating.
Eventually, everything faded and there were no thoughts. There was only Zach, his steps, his body. Her feet moved with his, slowing when his slowed, turning when he did, without needing her brain involved. He walked her to a shady spot and stopped, touching her arm and dragging her consciousness back to the surface.
"Stay."
He stepped in front of her and she had to stick her feet to the ground to keep from stepping with him, but the stay echoed in her head and she remained in place.
"Kneel."
She gracefully went to both knees, her muscle memory taking her down without a thought, so different from the awkwardness of the morning. The grass was cool and soft beneath her legs, and everything felt right with the world.
"Beautiful, pet. We'll call that kneel up. When I say kneel I want your bottom on your feet."
She eased into position, her legs naturally spreading apart. Remembering his instructions earlier, she arched her back and looked up, meeting his eyes. If he'd ordered her to come at that moment, she would have.
He reached for her nipple clamps, casually releasing them simultaneously before standing. She gasped at the pain, but kept eye contact, letting him see the agony in her face. “Very nice. Stay."
He walked away and Dana's gaze rested on a trillium. No thoughts littered her mind as she admired the simple beauty—three flat perfectly horizontal leaves with the flower crowning over them. Her arousal subsided until the terrible ache became an undertone, and the fire in her nipples went from a bonfire to smoldering coals.
Zach needed a few moments to center himself before beginning the next phase. They'd been so in tune as they walked, he'd felt as if their very souls had merged.
He stepped to the pool house to retrieve swim shorts and the sensory deprivation stand, turning towards her as he changed, awed by the depths of her submission. He hadn't been certain he could take her this far today, but—for someone who wasn't sure she could submit again—Dana was a natural.
Sensory deprivation of this magnitude would only work if she was already well on her way towards total surrender, and she was primed for it. He'd had his doubts when she walked into the kitchen a few hours ago, her body language showing she wanted to submit, her face broadcasting she wasn't feeling it. He was glad he'd structured the first part of the day around helping her find comfort surrendering her power again.
Watching her relinquish control during breakfast had almost moved him to tears, requiring he blindfold her sooner than planned. After losing Bethany, he didn't believe he'd be gifted with complete submission a second time, and Dana's grace and acquiescence on the leash threatened to undo him.
Maybe it would've been better to stick to sex and games, but she needed a refresher course to help her remember how to surrender. He'd designed the morning's activities with this in mind, and as he quietly walked the sensory dep device into the water, he realized he'd fallen head over heels for her already.
Dana had fascinated him from day one—such gentle strength, so skilled at her profession, and her kind eyes that missed nothing. Backing off while they worked together was the right decision; but it'd been difficult, to not show how his feelings for her blossomed during their weekly meetings.
He knew she was still emotionally fragile, and appreciated her honesty about her reluctance to engage in power exchange again. He wanted to protect his heart until she'd worked through her issues, but it was a little late for that—he'd just have to figure out how to keep her.
Their kinks lined up well, and he knew she'd expect him to remain firm, without giving leeway on rules or punishments. Her eyes had reflected the respect Garnet had earned by providing what she needed, and he hoped to do the same, but in his own way.
He paused before installing the last piece, his gaze seeking her out—her posture perfect, so far into her submission she was motionless as a statue. She'd already gone fathoms deeper than most women managed, and he was sure he could help her take the final steps towards transcendence.
Taking a deep breath, he slid the Plexiglas in place, situated the remaining items on the pool's edge, and dove under the cool, clear water, hoping some laps would help center him. He had to get his thoughts under control before he could give her the authority she needed. Too much emotion right now would make her dominant personality want to resurface, and might scare her away. There'd be time for emotions later.
Dana wasn't sure how long he allowed her to rest, but perhaps ten minutes had passed when she heard a splash and turned her head to see him swimming. He traversed the length of the pool twice, his freestyle form perfect, before walking up the steps like a god rising from the ocean, coming straight towards her.