Frankie Xiao

My heart beats wild and out of control as I watch River.. In his sporty-sexy sweatpants, he lets go of my hands to slide back up the mattress to settle harmoniously amongst the pillows..

The scent of soap and sunlight sweeps through the air, his aroma a decadent delight I want to taste on my tongue..

"I-- I don't know.." I twist my fingers through the cozy knitted fabric of my dress, feeling my cheeks burn with juvenile humiliation.. I feel so inept and out of my depth.. There are things I know, but there are so many more things I don't..

And there are a million things I want to do, they race through my mind like a speeding train.. But I don't have the courage to do any single one of them now that he is offering me the opportunity..

What If I get it wrong?
What if I don't make him happy?

I feel glued in place, torn between what I think he wants and what I actually want..

I know that I want to make him feel good.. I want to know his body and maybe for him to know mine.. Though short of being still and silent like Li Jun prefered, I haven't learned a thing about what pleases men.

I know what Li Jun enjoyed.. But None of that seems to make River happy..

So what am I supposed to do?

"Tonight, you're my Master, Lilly." He assures me smoothly as the lush, leafy green of his stare sucks me in, transporting me to a hot and humid jungle, sticky and sweating, that is where for a moment I almost believe him..

Except I am not a master at all! I giggle embarrassedly into my hands, flames crawling up my neck.. "Am not!"

"You can be.. If you want.." The Tiger grins, leaning forward, stretching out an enormous paw to pat the end of the bed in invitation.. His cute and crooked smile shines back at me, boyish and playful..

Wǒde tiān na!
Oh heavens!

I take a careful step forward.. Then another.. Crawling up to kneel at the end of the bed.. My lingering gaze learns the hard lines of his muscular chest, his steely abs and the valleys leading down to his hip bones and the outline of a swelling bulge, hidden beneath loose army-green cotton..

He is so powerful.. So much bigger and stronger than me.. A fearsome beast, made for battle and bravery..

"Do ye' wanna touch me?" He cocks his head to one side, watching me as I watch him..

"Umm.. Shì de." I nod my head, yes..

"I'm not gonna stop ya.." He grins invitingly and I reach out to place my chilly hand on his fiery warm flesh and he winces with a rumbly chuckle.. "Oohee, cold hands!"

I snatch my fingers away in worry and he continues to laugh.. "It's alrite', I was kiddin'.. That feels real nice, Wallflower.." He folds his hands up behind his head, surveying my hands as I begin to knead and prod at his muscles..

I smile shyly.. He is so silly and surprisingly gentle for such a giant.. When I poke him in the ribs he squirms and laughs some more..

"You have tickles.." I giggle, feeling funny fizzy bubbles in my belly..

He grins.. "Aye, I have 'em alrite'.."

I creep closer to him, leaning over so that my hair falls loose from behind my ear and brushes over his shoulder as I kiss his inky chest..

He doesn't move, he just watches me with patience and after a minute or two he makes an offer I am not in the least prepared for.. "There's some rope in the drawer.. You know, if you wanted, Lilly, I'd let you tie me up.."

The suggestion is scary and sensual all at once.. Something about the way he speaks is different, strained and vulnerable..

"Why?" I whisper, the tightness of his muscles beneath my fingertips as he smiles at me..

Everytime he smiles, I forget just about everything else.. The way it burns, bright and brimming with sweet intent.. "Because I know you won't hurt me. I trust you, Lilly.. And I think this will make you feel strong.. Powerful.. I wanna show you.. Do you want me to?"

I nod, excited with an electric pulse racing up nd down my entire body.. "Yes.."

I want to know what it feels like to be strong like him.. To have power like he says..

He sits up, reaching into the bedside drawer to take out two short lengths of patterned green rope.. "How do you feel about it?"

He hands me one piece of rope and offers his wrist.. I take it in my inexperienced fumbling fingers and begin to tie The Tiger to the bedpost.. "I feel-- alive.. Exciting.."

He hums, using his free hand to help me tie a simple single knot.. "Mm, me too, baby.."

I move to take the other piece of rope but he holds it firm.. "If I ask ye' to untie me, will you?"

I nod immediately.. "Yes. I am doing as you ask me, Master.."

He chuckles.. "You're a good girl, Lilly.. But you know you don't have to--rite'?"

"I want to.." A flush of heat spikes though my core and a tingling between my thighs mounts to form a pressure I have never felt, hot and humming.. "You think I am good?"

"Aye, I t'ink yer' the loveliest damn t'ing I ever saw.." He exhales with a dreamy breath, letting go of the rope..

Carefully, I tie his other wrist to the bedpost and he leans back against the headboard, completely relaxed..

"What now?" I seek, needy for directions.. For some reason it makes me feel silly to admit that I don't know what I am doing.. But I would feel even more ridiculous if I did the wrong thing..

"Whatever ye' want, Mistress Lilly.." The gravel of his voice and ease of his nature sparks the thrumming rush of my blood and that flickering heat between my thighs becomes a volcano of fire..

I slowly crawl over to him, laying down with my cheek on his chest, resting the entirety of my weight on him, feeling the rolling rhythms of his breath and the slow, steady thud of his heart beat... "What if I do bad?"

When I begin to stroke my fingernails up and down over his ribs he hums.. "Hmm.. You won't.. Nothin' you do is bad, baby.."

The thrill of him relaxing, ebbs at my doubts and soon my lips replace my fingers to kiss the ink and scars inscribed on his skin..