His throaty little chuckle suggested that he had. ‘I expect you’re feeling a little bit vulnerable. A little bit helpless. Maybe even a little bit anxious?’ ‘Well …’ It was obvious. Who wouldn’t be? ‘Don’t worry, Lulu.’ I registered his weight drawing the mattress downwards at my right side. ‘Because actually you aren’t as helpless as you think. No, don’t look up. But give one of your wrists a sharp upward tug.’ I did as he suggested and, for a moment, the tearing sound that ensued made me panic even more. But when the cuff fell away, releasing my wrist, I understood. ‘Oh. It’s Velcro.’ ‘That’s right. So you can wriggle out of bondage any time you like, by striking upwards with the relevant limb. Does that make you feel better?’ He wrapped the cuff back round my wrist, good and tight. I relished the feeling this time. ‘A bit,’ I admitted. ‘Quite a lot, actually.’ ‘Good. But don’t think you’ll have this easy escape every time. Only until you feel safe with me.
