So, I have a question regarding blood play (obviously).

About two years ago, I quit cutting cold turkey. After six years and numerous attempts to stop, I actually succeeded in fighting that urge. Then, I met my current boyfriend who has some slightly vampiric tendancies. The didn't bother me because I like biting and everything.

We had known each other for several months before blood was exchanged. The little bit of blood play I'd tried before was more of a side-effect of cutting while I had Dom/mes that liked blood, but this was a deliberate try at it and I really enjoyed it.

Obviously, it's not something we do all the time, but it is a tool of our sex life. My question actually came about because of an arguement I was involved in when one of my friends saw the marks from our play. She's of the opinion that this is just a way for me to make cutting acceptable, but I don't think it is.

So, I thought I'd post on here and see what other opinions there are. I know that a lot of subs (and probably a fair amount of Doms) have a background involving self-harm. To me, cutting is very different than blood play. I was cutting because I was angry or hurt or scared, it was a way of coping with emotions I didn't want to examine. Blood play is pleasurable, it makes me happy to know I'm giving my Dom something he wants.

I hope I explained that clearly enough. Your thoughts?