Stephanie came back outside with two water bottles; after handing one to Junior, she sat down in front of him again. He opened the water bottle she had handed him and traded her for the unopened one.

"Thank you." Stephanie took a sip of the water and tried to think of how to form her sentences.

"Just ask me anything, Steph. Don't worry about how it's worded. Just say what's on your mind."

Leaning back against Clinton, Stephanie started. "How would... what would..." she took a deep breath before continuing, "What would a relationship or lifestyle like that look like... for me?"

Junior was surprised that she wasn't running from him. He really expected her to pack and leave. "I'd hope to have your complete trust. Trust that I'd never push you past your limits. Trust that I'd know what you want and need. Trust that I'd provide for you and keep you safe and happy. And I'd need to trust that you'd tell me if things got to be too much."

"Are we talking whips and chains or what?"

"I'd start out slow. I guess I'm more into bondage than anything else anymore. I've done the whole dominate whips, chains, punishment. I found while I liked it at first, I didn't enjoy actually hurting women. I like blindfolds. If you can't see where I am or what I'm about to do, it heightens the pleasure. You already know I like to bind the hands, but that I do let them go. I'd like to be the one to help you venture into this side as I think if it's done correctly, you'd enjoy it."

"What if there is something I don't like, or don't want to try?" Stephanie asked as she took another sip of her water.

"If you have things that you know are a definite NO right now, tell me and we can discuss why and see if they stay off the table. You'd have a 'safe word' so that if things got to be too intense or you just weren't having it that day, you say the word and I'll immediately stop; no questions asked, no pressure."

"What if I say no to all of it?" She didn't want to lose him, but she wasn't sure she could do the lifestyle he was talking about.

"If you say no, then we go on like we have been for the past few weeks. Nothing changes except I'd still like a relationship with you."

"So, either way, if I say yes or no, we still get a relationship? This isn't a dealbreaker?"

Junior hugged her tightly to him, "Not for me. I've told you, I'm falling for you. I fell for you two years ago and I'm still falling. I want whatever life you want. I said I gave up my lifestyle before I joined the military, and I did. I can give it up for the rest of my life if it means that's the only way I have you."

Stephanie sat there thinking for the longest time and Junior knew he needed to just let her. He had said what he needed and promised not to push her.

After twenty minutes, Stephanie turned around to face him. "I'm not sure what all I'm comfortable with and it may take me a little to be comfortable with most of it, but I trust you. I enjoyed Jamacia and I enjoy being with you. You just need to understand that my upbringing has me a little leery of this."

"Why is that?" he asked as he ran his finger down her jaw.

"Because I can just hear my mother now, 'Good Catholic girls don't do that sort of stuff. They only do missionary and only to have a baby.'"

"Steph, what we do and how we live our lives is up to us. She has no say in it whatsoever. You are an adult. Stop worrying about her and the rest of the people. Besides, I thought you didn't see them anymore."

Looking down at the ground, she sighed, "I don't see them, but I can't help knowing what they are going to say. I can take it against me, but if they start saying stuff about you, then I'll lose it."

"I think that's enough talk for now. How about some food?" He knew he needed to change the subject before she got too lost in what others would think.

"Food sounds good. Sorry for ruining the afternoon."

"You didn't. Nothing has been ruined." Junior stood and reached for her hand, "Come on, let's go find some food. Do you want to eat in or out?"

Later that night Junior was asleep in his bed when he sensed someone staring at him. Opening his eyes, he pulled back his covers for Stephanie to join him. When she snuggled back against him, he wrapped his arm around her and kissed her head. "What brings you in here?"

"I'm tired of sleeping alone. I'm only here for a couple more nights and wanted to feel you. I hope that's okay."

"It is more than okay, Steph. I've wanted to hold you since you got here, but didn't want to push. Sleep, we can talk in the morning."

The next morning, Junior woke to Stephanie placing kisses over his chest. "Someone is in a mood this morning," he chuckled.

"I don't want to wait anymore, Clinton. I'm ready for you to blindfold me."

He looked down at her eyes and waited for a moment. When he saw how serious she was, kiss pulled her up to him and kissed her deeply. Getting out of bed, he walked over to his closet and pulled out a box from the top shelf. When he opened the box, he removed a black blindfold. "Are you certain? We don't have to do this."

"I'm not scared. I thought about it and I'd like to try it." She sat up on the bed and took a deep breath, "Just in case, what is the safe word?"

"Red," he replied as he put the box on his dresser and climbed back into bed. Kissing her passionately, he slowly placed the blindfold over her eyes.