YAY! I can't tell you how long it took me to dig deep enough to expose that nugget. I had to re-read two chapters because I got confused as to where the lashes with the belt happened in the story (darn), and then I had to read and re-read (again, darn) the pages around the actual tidbit with the argument and the follow-up with the possessive comment to get the context fixed in my head.

And it's kind of deeply personal to explore a kink like that, but in a good way. I'll have to poke around at things like that more often. It's enlightening.

I'm of the further opinion that his absolute surrender to Claire is yet another example of how his sexual experiences can be coded as feminine, like in the meta I referenced. And I think it's THAT part that we respond so strongly to.

I am going to go back and savour Book 1 as soon as I'm done with the whole series. I have to say that I love love love having voices to go with the words in the book; I hear Claire and Jaime so very clearly as I read them, thanks to Cait and Sam and their performances.

I hope your packing went well, and I hope that Sam rumbling "Mo Ghràidh" has lulled you to sleep. Have a wonderful time this weekend, and best wishes to your sister and her intended! *hugs*