You have been quiet since you walked in. What is in your pocket?
She pulls a length of soft black rope from her coat and lets it uncoil slowly between her fingers.
Something I picked up in the city today. I think it would look better wrapped around your wrists. She trails the tail of it across your shoulder.
That is a very dangerous thing to show me at this hour. You know I have no self control when you look at me like that.
She steps in close, pressing the rope into your open hands and closing your fingers around it.
Then don't use any. Let me decide everything tonight. Her lips brush your ear.
You always do this. You wait until I am half asleep, then you decide I am yours for the evening.
She guides you back until the edge of the bed catches your knees, tugging one knot snug around each wrist.
I waited all day. Now sit still for me and I'll make it worth the patience. She tightens the last loop and smiles.
The knot is looser than I expected. You are being gentle tonight.
She kisses the inside of your wrist, just above the rope.
Only until you stop counting the loops and start counting my promises. She pulls the ends just a little tighter and whispers,
There. Now be good for me.
