Playing for Rya

55. Rules of Engagement

Song: God is a Woman by Ariana Grande

"I can't." Rya fiddled with the diamond ring on her middle finger, her subconscious going on high alert as she took several steps back. Away from Celia. Away from the bench and the sub whose hungry gaze was now fixed on her.

His was a hunger her mind was familiar with, and one that her body was beginning to respond to.

She felt the slow build of desire that throbbed deep within her core and recognized it for what it was. In the past she would have willingly given in to it. But not anymore. It wasn't just about her now.

Celia quietly observed Rya as she fidgeted with the diamond ring on her middle finger.

"Ah," her low husky voice was a seduction all on its own, "I understand." She said with a nod, although the disappointment in her gaze made it difficult for Rya to believe that she did.

"It's not that I don't want to," Rya explained softly, "I just...Derek and I...I'm just...not sure what the rules are right now..."

She sensed Derek's presence directly behind her first, feeling his warmth even before he wrapped his arm around her pressing her back against his chest.

Celia stood, her gaze darting over Rya's shoulder as she spoke, this time to Derek. "It would be nice to have some clarity wouldn't it?" She murmured with a smirk as she fixed her gaze on Derek.

"Celia," Dereks voice was just as low and dangerously suggestive as Celia's was. "Your claws are showing. Be reminded that my woman isn't one of your subs."

"More's the pity." Celia's tone was whisper soft, her smirk growing as she gave the comeback. "Be thankful you found her first."

"Always." Derek murmured as he turned Rya around, in his arms, to face him. His dark eyes were hooded as they perused her face.

"In my world there are safe-zones..." he explained as his thumb slowly brushed over her lower lip and his head lowered to hers.

With her body pressed up against his, it was impossible not to feel the fan of his breath, or the sound if his heart beating within his chest, impossible not to want to rise up in her toes and press her mouth to his...Rya balled the hand she had placed at his hip into fists as her breath quickened.

"...places with strict guidelines on the health and sexual safety of its members."

"Like the barn." Rya whispered

He nodded. "Like the barn."

"Within these places, there are no rules of engagement or extremes...only curiosity, gratification and limits. Phoenix is one of those places."

"But I'm not a member of phoenix." Rya bit her lip and watched as Derek's gaze followed the movement.

"Both places are controlled by the same people, the same guidelines, the same medical requirements. Phoenix, although having existed for a longer period, is now merely a subset of a larger structure. Most of its members are also members of the barn." His voice which had deepened, was now little more than a low growl.

"Right." She whispered.

He took her mouth with his, placing his hand at the back of her head to keep her in place as his tongue swept into the warm cavern of her mouth. It was a hard, ravishing kiss, with clashing tongues and bruising teeth, which left them both breathing heavily by the time they came up for air.

"As for you and I," his gaze was a piercing penetrating beam with a direct pathway to the depths of her being. "Nothing changes, except you want it to."