It wasn't unexpected. They had had their share of talks about her sexlife, about the stuff she would do with her partner; hell, half the time Diana would be sitting right there and fake a shocked look, but it wasn't like Nadine was too indescrete or Diana didn't like a bit of humiliation, if that even counted. BDSM was their thing and Gabriel was okay with that. It didn't prevent him from being friends with either of them and it didn't dampen his crush on Nadine. But he always knew that, if things ever worked themselves out, however unlikely that seemed, it would be an issue. He had enough knowledge about BDSM to know that about 95% of that was not negiotable. He was dominant and had always enjoyed it more to be in control than to give it over to somebody else.

However, this situation was special, Nadine was special and while he couldn't and wouldn't give her what she usually wanted or needed, he was more than willing to offer a compromise. Maybe, he hoped, she needed him more.

"I don't mind rough", he answered, standing tall and firm before here. He had been uncertain before, unsure whether she was just flirting and teasing as always, but this was where they laid the cards on the table. "But unless you want me to tie you up, that belt is not going to see any use."

Gabriel smiled and pulled the shirt over his head, revealing a defined torso and strong arms. It wasn't enough to make a bodybuilder feel inadequate but he was in good shape and the street lamp revealed it in a most pleasing way. He knelt down to get rid of his own shoes.

"Scratches at my back, a slap in the face..." - Gabriel remembered one girl who had a weird rape fantasy and wanted to genuinely struggle against him while he overpowered her; it was one of the reasons why he knew exactly what line he was not going to cross or allow Nadine to cross. "Being commanding or on top for a while... That is as far as you can go."

He rose, barefoot. She was still sitting on the ottoman, unmoved, and he wanted her, badly, but not at any price. His tone was assertive and his demeanor free of doubt as he stepped closer to her and leaned down to her, his lips inches away from her.

"But you will have to submit to me as well", he moved closer, "do as I tell you", their mouths were only a breath apart, "and endure what teasing I can come up with." When he thought she was going to close the microscopic gap between them, he withdrew, out of her reach. Had anybody ever resisted her like this?

"Now", he took another step back or two, "it's your turn to undress."

His tone had changed to a playful one, wrapping the order in the most considerate way he could come up with. He couldn't quite meet her halfway but he was willing to compromise. The only question was: Would she?