Your Way Out

Red Light

Walking through the bathroom door was like walking into a new world. The bedroom changed in only slight differences. but it was disrupted the atmosphere entirely. The fire still crackled in the gapping maw of the stone hearth, but it was now a boisterous roaring flame, washing the room in a hot ruby red. Light flickered off the obsidian walls, making the veins of gold shimmer brightly. The fire was the sole source of light. The braziers only sizzled with fading embers.

Resting between the drawn golden veil sat Loki, dried and dressed in black buttoned-up shirt and black slacks. A waxy leather belt fixed around hips with a sleek gold buckle. He rolled his neck to stretch before locking his eyes on me. I was still wet, wrapped in a towel I found. His face was stern, cold, and hard like stone. His jaw clenched with a tense grimace. Panning his icy gaze over me, his sharp brow furrowed into a scowl. Loki rolled his jet-black sleeve to his elbow and gestured for me to approach with two slender fingers. Nervously, I obeyed. Taking baby steps towards him, I steadied myself with meager doses of courage.

He ran a finger along the soft linen. His face flushed with disappointment.

"Off," Loki ordered.

With a quick jerk, he snatched the towel from my body. It dropped around my feet. Instinctively, I draped my arms around my stomach. Some impulsive display of shame and insecurity. Loki's eyes narrowed. His cold hard stare pierced through me like a knife. He grabbed my wrists and held my arms securely by my side. He pulled me close, his face leveled with my sternum. Keeping my wrists restrained, he delicately showered me in kisses. Across my ribcage and down to my abdomen, his kips lightly danced over my skin. I shuddered. Heat from the fire licked my bare flesh as his cold lips landed like snowflakes. Planting one last peck above my belly button, he peered up at me. His eyes were cool and commanding.

"Don't cover yourself again. I want to see all of you. Next time, I'll have to tie your hands," he warned. His hot breath spilling over me. He released me, turning to the wide-open bed, and brandishing a long thin cane with a flat leather tip about three fingers wide. "Do you know what this is, bunny?" Loki asked in a smooth charming voice.

He smacked the flat crop into his hand. A sharp snap pierced the air. The palm of his hand flushed a pale shade of red as he gaze at me with his lovely blue eyes.

"Yes, sir," I muttered shyly.

I'd seen them before. Whips, riding crops, paddles, and handcuffs. Usually in novelty stores at the mall where they sell neon t-shirts of marijuana leaves and psychedelic posters. As a teen, we thought we were so adventurous because we braved the back wall, gazing at the display of adult toys and naughty costumes. Never in my life had I been brave enough to face the real thing. There was no one in my life I trusted to inflict this kind of pain on me.

Loki took my hand in his. His palm was slightly warm from the sting. He ran the leather over the back of my hands, letting me feel its smooth surface in slow circular motions. With a quick snap, he smacked my hand. I held firm, only wincing at the sharp sting. He rubbed the small red mark with his thumb, carefully soothing over the pain.

"Did that hurt?" he asked calmly.

I nodded, biting my bottom lip.

He brought my hand to his lips and kissed the sting with his cool lips. "Do you want to stop there?"

"No," I answered bravely. With a slow pull of air, I prepared myself for the experience to come.

Loki placed the whip under my chin, lightly dragging the smooth leather across my skin. "No, what?" his eyes turned to fierce lapis flames.