I've bought his rope. I've used his rope. People have used his rope on me. It was time for the three of us -- Monk, his rope and me -- to come together for a bondage experience. Yes! I got tied up by a boy! This is a first for my site, obviously. It helps that Monk and I have gotten to know each other pretty well over the last year-plus and that this plot had been hatching since Shibaricon 2005. Monk is a gregarious, great-humored man with a noble soul and a big heart. Of course we've become friends.

One of the things I'm adamant about with my shooting/play partners is that we have connection that will support honesty and vulnerability on both sides of the rope. When I started down this path, I understood intuitively that it had to be a two way street or it wouldn't work for me. The gallery I present here definitely speaks to that truth. I usually don't cotton to male tops enough to let them get within 100 yards of me with rope; I prefer the feminine touch -- even when it's rough and tumble. Monk was nervous about doing rope on camera for the first time. We both had something to get over, so allowing our friendship and love of rope to guide us, we created something that was cool and powerful and joyous all at once. Michele slipped in and out of the tying in a way that was so unobtrusive it actually aided in getting the two of us comfortable and into the scene.

It's been a long time since I've done an inverted suspension -- they're dangerous and potentially painful (ankles!), so I don't do them with just anyone. I was in good hands with Monk. Shooting in his workspace, The Abbey, allowed us access to the fabulous hoist. Talk about a piece of machinery that made me drool! I want one!

From the moment Monk started putting the rope on me, I was salivating to go up. It didn't take him long before he had my ankles secured enough to start lifting me. Let me tell you, that boy is a rope marvel and I'm exceedingly happy to have had the chance to share the experience with him. Feeling the hemp tightening around my legs and my body swaying in gravity's touch gave me a sense of euphoria that I'm still cherishing!

In the end, shooting with Monk was very similar to shooting with my other rope tops: we came to the shoot to play and record our experience and to connect in a way that allows us to deepen our friendship.

I'm presenting both the color and the black & whites from the shoot.

Thanks, Monk.