Twist Me by Mia Monroe

Mitsu

“Thank you all for being here today.” My eyes linger on Grey, his nervous energy permeating every part of me. I want to comfort him, hold him, assure him. I also deeply want to understand where it comes from. Does he not know how beautiful he is? Has he been hurt? Whatever caused it, I want to do everything in my power to make it go away.

I explain how things will go for the first several demonstrations, then tell the group I will take volunteers. A part of me hopes once Grey can see this beauty with his own eyes, he’ll give in and let me create something truly magnificent. Grey in my ropes? Fuck.

I begin the work, choosing rope lengths and banishing the ethereal blond man from my thoughts. Focus is critical, so he’ll have to wait. For now, I close my eyes for a second to center myself. When I open them, Jessa is waiting for direction. Today’s group is ready for more intricate positions, so I start with the hogtie suspension.

Kneeling beside Jessa, I begin the knot work at her ankles, explaining each technique, acutely aware of Grey’s sparkling blue eyes on me. I still can’t believe he’s here.

“Mitsu,” Jessa whispers, craning her neck at me. “It’s a little too tight.”

I look back at her ankle, the skin there pinched by the rope.

“It’s also important to be completely engaged in what you’re doing with your play partner,” I explain. “You could hurt them if you’re not paying attention.” I lean down and whisper “sorry” in her ear as I loosen the ropes.

Once I get Jessa’s ankles set, I move to her wrists, pulling them behind her and securing them to her extended ankles until she’s in the correct position. I continue my work above her, preparing the frame for her ultimate suspension. When I kneel to hook the ropes, my eyes catch Grey, his gaze locked on my every movement. It’s a heady feeling being watched by him. Does he like what he sees? Does he want to try? Could he learn to trust me?

“I’m going to suspend Jessa now. She’s completely secure, and the ropes are evenly distributed to balance her weight.” I hook the ropes and steadily lift her until she’s swinging above us. The room claps, but Grey still watches me with a look of awe.

I work with Jessa on several more positions, realizing as I catch the time that the workshop is coming to an end. I’ve been working much slower than usual, and there’s no point in asking myself why.

“I think we have time for just one volunteer.”

Mac’s hand flies up. “Please?”

Chuckling, I nod. “Yes, come up.”

Mac grins at Grey who laughs softly as Mac bounces out of his seat and up to me. He’s got a slight figure, much shorter than Grey, but his smile is big, making his presence feel larger than it is. He’s very attractive in his own right, pretty even, but his impact on me is dulled with Grey so close.

“How do you feel about hanging upside down?”

Mac’s eyes light up. “Hell yeah. Let’s do it.”

“Lie down please. On your back.”

Mac complies as I grab more ropes. I make quick work of wrapping his legs from his knees down to his ankles, then I loop the rope through the large metal ring at the top of my frame and hoist him up slowly so he’s upside down, hanging by his feet. He can touch the floor with his hands if he wants to, but he swings his arms, looking as gleeful as a child in a toy shop. Some people see Shibari as sexual. Some see it as submission. Others just want to know what it feels like. I can tell right away Mac sees this as a fun adventure.

“This is amazing,” Mac says, grinning and waving at Grey.

The group claps, and as the workshop breaks up, I keep my eye on Grey. I don’t want to miss him because I’m talking to students. Finally, the room mostly clears out except for Mac, Jessa, Grey, and two other people who usually stick around a bit chatting. I want everyone to leave. I want to talk to Grey. I want to be close to him, inhale his scent, imagine…

“That was really amazing,” Grey says, approaching.

“I’m glad you thought so.”

“I’m sure Mac will talk my head off about it on the way home, but it was cool to see it. Thank you for inviting me.”

“Thank you for coming.” I step closer. “Do you have questions?”

“Tons.” He laughs as though his own answer surprises him.

“Ask.”

He glances over his shoulder at Jessa and Mac, who are talking. “Is Jessa your girlfriend?”

I pull my head back slightly. I was not expecting that question. “No. Not at all. She’s just a model. Why?”

“Oh.” His cheeks blush pink. “She just seemed comfortable walking in and stuff.”

“I told her to let herself in.”

“Oh.”

A lock of his hair falls into his face and I want to move it for him, tuck it behind his ear, feel it so I know if it’s as soft as it looks. I’ve already figured out, though, that he’s cautious, so I restrain the desire to touch him.

“Any other questions?”

He looks nervous for a moment then smiles. “Maybe another time. I’m still processing it all.”

“Any time, Grey.”

“Cool. Um, do you need help cleaning up?”

“No, thank you. Will you come again? Or…” I feel like an awkward teen. I pause, finding my confidence again. “I’d like to see you more. Hang out. Talk.”

“With me?”

“Yes. With you. If you think you’d enjoy spending time with me. No ropes.”

Grey laughs softly. “It really is very beautiful.”

“Yes.” I push away the images of Grey bound tightly, helpless, pleading. Now would not be the best time to get an erection, so I twist my neck and think of anything else but that. “You have my number.”

“I do.” His brow furrows as his teeth worry his bottom lip. “Um, I’m kind of shy sometimes, so um, you c-c-can call me too. If you want.”

“Thank you. I’ll do that.”

His face lights up just a bit. “Okay.”

I bow slightly, and Grey repeats the action. “Thank you again for coming. Your presence was welcome.”

“Thanks, Mitsu. See you.”

“Bye.”

I watch as he drags his chatty friend away, his eyes lingering on me once more before he exits the space. His loss is felt like a shock to the system. Grey does something to me that I haven’t felt in a very long time, if ever. I just have no idea how I plan to break through the wall around him. I’m not even sure what it is I want from him. He’s so much younger he might want things I couldn’t possibly give. Maybe we could just be friends. I love a deep talk with a like-minded person. Energy is everything.

But as my eyes drift down my aroused body, my nipples still pebbled, my pants slightly tented, it might be a challenge to convince my body that my intentions are platonic. There’s only one way to find out what Grey and I could be.

And I plan to do exactly that.