The Soldier's Hostage

Chapter Twenty-Six

He was expressionless as ever, so I couldn't decide if he had made a choice that I would like. For all I knew, he was going to tell me to find someplace else to live. I certainly hoped not though.

Arthur ushered me into our apartment and told me to find something to do. He had some research to do. I wasn't sure I liked the sound of that, but I got started on the dishes, feeling too nervous to sit down and read.

Arthur brought his laptop out to the kitchen and set up on the table. He got to tapping and reading and I silently listened, feeling a strange sense of foreboding.

The tension eased a little when Arthur started asking me questions as he did his research. "You said one of the reasons you wanted my mark was because I was going to need a pantry before long. Are you going to be okay with me drinking from humans other than you?"

I glanced over my shoulder. "Katty told me you didn't need a pantry."

Arthur studied me for a long moment. "Other partners then. Are you expecting this to be a monogamous relationship based on blood or a romantic one? Or do you simply want me to be in control of your life and free to do whatever I want with mine?"

I thought about it for a minute. Finally, I came to an honest answer. "I know I can't be your only donor. Not if I want to stay healthy. I can handle you finding blood elsewhere. I guess I could handle you finding sex elsewhere too, but I'd be jealous and I wouldn't be able to help myself from trying to drive them away if you brought them here."

He nodded and turned back to his computer screen. "I can deal with that." He started tapping and I tried to squash the thrill in my stomach. No sense in getting my hopes up before he committed. He suddenly stopped tapping and went quiet and still as he read something. I tried to contain my curiosity.

"Do we need a safe word?"

I stiffened and turned around to look at him. He was watching me carefully. "Only if you plan on tying me up and beating me."

He glanced down at his screen before meeting my gaze again. "Will I need to?"

I couldn't stand it anymore. I moved across the kitchen and looked at what he had been researching. I blinked at the hardcore BDSM screen that was up. I bit my lip, feeling slightly nervous. "I'm submissive, not masochistic."

Arthur closed down the top screen with a nod, revealing a different window that broke down Dominant versus submissive. "Good. I'm not really a sadist." I slowly smiled and straightened from looking over his shoulder. He glanced back at me when I didn't stop hovering. "What?"

I shook my head, my nerves fading away. "I guess I just wasn't expecting you to be quite so thorough."

Arthur scrolled through some more information, his eyes skimming the contents as he looked for whatever would apply to this lifestyle I was asking him for. "I want to know exactly what I'm getting into and be completely comfortable about giving you what you need. And want. You deserve that much at least."

I smiled and turned back for the sink. "You do realize we're basically in a Dominant/submissive relationship now right?" I glanced over my shoulder to find him staring at me. "You're in charge. I take care of your basic needs. You give me a living and directions I sort of have to trust you on since you don't do details. There are boundaries on what you do and don't want me to do. There's just no sex between us. And you don't physically punish me. I'm a service submissive for you."

Arthur seemed thrown by that for a moment. Then he was turning back to his computer screen and typing quickly before glancing it all over. He hummed in surprised realization and nodded. I grinned and turned back to cleaning the kitchen.