“I’m pretty sure doctors are supposed to leave the room while their patients undress,” Ellie teased.

“I knew there was a reason the medical profession had no appeal for me.”

Giggling, Ellie turned her back to him and wiggled her hips as she started peeling off her mini-skirt. She peeked over her shoulder at him, mischievously. “So, theater must be nice, with all the costume changes.”

“The quick changes on the side of the stage are the best,” he said, enjoying the way she carefully stepped out of her skirt, not even wobbling in her high heels. She seemed completely past whatever had happened upstairs. He still felt discomfited, but he didn’t want her to know that. “Whoever’s around gets to lend a helping hand the first dress rehearsal, and then that’s their job for the rest of the show. Although, just standing back and watching can be quite nice.”

She preened under his attention as his eyes traveled over her naked body while she bent over to unstrap her heels, turning to the side so he could see her hanging breasts and the curve of her form. Damn she was gorgeous.

Michael wanted to step forward and pull her into his arms... but he kept holding back. He didn’t want a repeat of upstairs. Which was also why he was hesitating on really getting the scene going.

“Ellie...”

She straightened up, wariness in her expression as she heard the change in his voice. “Yes?”

“Are you sure you’re up for scening?” When her expression turned mutinous, he held up a placating hand. “I’ve never had anyone safe word in a scene with me, and I’m quite proud of that. I’m asking because I didn’t mean to do anything to upset you upstairs, and yet I managed to anyway. I’d like to avoid upsetting you down here.”

Hugging her clothes to her front, it was obvious she felt vulnerable. Her eyes flicked to the door, but to get to the door, she’d have to pass him. Michael didn’t want her to feel trapped, and he certainly wouldn’t block her, but he didn’t regret positioning himself to make it harder for her to run either. Ellie took a deep breath and let it out, like she was steeling herself against something.

“If you stick to my hard limits, I should be fine,” she said. “I need this. I really do... it... I feel back in control when I’m doing a scene. I know that if I say ‘red,’ you’ll stop. I need that right now. I need to lose myself in a scene and know I can trust you.”

He moved forward, quickly, to cup her face in his hands. “You can always trust me,” he said softly. “If you need even a breather tonight, just say ‘yellow,’ and I’ll pause and we can talk.”