“Nothing,” Nas answers. “Nothing at all. Like I said, it’s called sub drop, and it’s completely normal. All of this is normal. You and I are normal, Alina. If you feel anything resembling shame right now, don't listen to those thoughts. It’s not real. It just comes with the drop. All you have to do is trust me. I’m here.”

Still crying, I settle onto Nas’s chest and clutch his body like a child gripping their security blanket. I don't even know what else to say as I lay there, but I know it feels good to have him. My world has been opened up to another dimension, and I can never return to my old world, which is exciting and terrifying at the same time. My emotions run wild and overtake me, sending streams of tears down my cheek as I bury my face in Nas’s chest.

He pulls me in closer as he continues to rub my skin with one hand while wiping away my tears with the other.

“I got you, Baby Girl,” he says in my ear, and I believe him. With his arms around me, I let go, and allow myself to cry.

“Just let it all go and trust me,” Nas says. “I’ve got you now.”

~ Him ~

Chapter Twenty-Three

My eyes open slowly, accompanied by a frown and the realization of two things that suck. Number one, my body feels like one big pulled muscle, even as I lay in the bed immobile. My entire backside feels like I’m no longer wearing skin, and I imagine it’s as red as a candy apple right now. It’s going to be a long day in the DNJ offices, and I can’t even imagine sitting down on one of those uncomfortable chairs in the breakroom. While what I experienced with Nas last night was like learning that heaven truly is real, I know now that the aftermath of BDSM will be what comes the next day. It’s bad enough that I went through some sort of emotional breakdown that Nas had to guide me through like a friend helping a blind man walk through a crowd, but things are about to get even worse physically. I loved every second of the pain last night, but I’m shocked at how sore I am now. That’s sucky thing number one.