by Karen Nappa
Sonja and Suzie were in the office after the café closed the week before Christmas, going over plans for upcoming specials. "We need to do something to stem the flow of customers. I don't know why they're not coming in the way they were, but we can't afford this hemorrhaging of patrons," Suzie said.
"I think we should do another coupon, half off on your next visit," Sonja was saying when there was a knock on the door. "I thought everyone was gone?"
"Me too," Suzie replied.
Before either could get to the door, it burst open to reveal Yvonne holding a bunch of papers.
"What are you doing here, Yvonne?" Sonja asked. "You didn't work today."
"I found out why business is down!" Yvonne exclaimed. "Look at these reviews I found online. They're terrible! People hate the café!"
"What are you talking about, Yvonne? Online reviews?" Suzie was puzzled. "Since when does anyone review us?"
"I've been wondering about the drop in business, and I've heard customers saying things that didn't make sense to me, so I decided to look into it," Yvonne said.
"What kinds of things?" Sonja asked.
"One couple was raving over their dessert and saying they were so glad they had come even though the reviews hadn't been very good. I didn't know what they meant, so I decided to do some research. I found two websites where people review local establishments, restaurants, stores—just about everything."
"What did you find?" Suzie interrupted.
"Some people are saying awful things about the café online. This one says the dishes are dirty and the desserts are stale. Here." She handed sheets to Suzie and Sonja. "I made copies."
"Oh, my God. This one says they got food poisoning from our potato salad. That can't be right. We would have heard from lots of people if someone got sick from our food. That doesn't just happen to one person." Sonja was incensed.
"This one says they saw a roach in the ladies' room," Suzie read.
"A roach! Not in our establishment. We get top marks from every health department inspection." Sonja read more. "These are nonsense. Who waits to complain about dirty dishes online instead of when they're here? And I don't believe for a second that anyone could have seen a rat in our kitchen."
"You're right, Sonja. These don't make sense. So, what's going on?" Suzie asked.
"I don't know, but we know someone who can probably help us find out," Sonja replied.
"Who?" Suzie and Yvonne spoke together.
"Laura, of course," Sonja answered.
"What does my sister have to do with restaurant reviews?" Suzie asked.
"It's not the reviews. It's the source. They're all from websites," Sonja said.
"Of course, how could I overlook that?"
"What are you talking about?" Yvonne asked.
"Sorry, dear," Suzie answered. "My sister, Laura, is a computer wizard. If there's something fishy about the reviews, she'll find it for us."
"None of the reviews says anything about fish." Yvonne looked puzzled.
Sonja smiled. "Fishy means there's something odd or underhanded about the reviews, Yvonne. Laura will help us find out what's going on."
Suzie pulled her cell phone from her pocket and dialed Laura's number. They chatted briefly, and then Suzie explained the problem. "I'm going to put you on speaker."
"Hi, Sonja, Yvonne. If you can email me the links to the reviews, I can start digging. Do you suspect these reviews are connected?"
"It's a possibility," Sonja said. "Derek's ex-girlfriend is trying to get him back. She stalked him in St. Louis. It's why he came here."
"Do you know if she had IT experience?" Laura asked.
"No idea. But I'll ask Derek and let you know if she does," Sonja responded.
"That would be great. As it happens, I'm ahead of schedule at work, so I can dig into this as soon as you send me the email," Laura said.
"Thanks, sis. We'll have it to you shortly."
"Great, Suzie. I'll check my email and get back to you as soon as I have anything. Tell the kids we'll see them this weekend. Bye." Laura ended the call.
Sonja had already pulled up her email program and was typing the website info in as they spoke. "Done," she said only seconds after Suzie and Laura had disconnected. "I think that's all we can do on that front today."
"Now, we wait." Suzie gathered her things together. "I have to do my waiting at school. Abby is coming back from an away game, and I need to pick her up shortly."
"I need to get over to Tante Wilma's shop. I promised to do some deliveries for her this afternoon," Yvonne said.
"Yes, you shouldn't keep your aunt waiting. Be sure to lock up on your way out," Sonja said.
She tried to get back to her work, but the information about the bad reviews had disturbed her and she was unable to concentrate. She went to the kitchen to get herself a cup of coffee and see what kind of leftovers she could take home that night. The chef had left a note on a to go container of that day's lasagna "for Sonja." She chuckled that the woman knew her so well. It would be great for her supper that night. She found a couple of leftover brownies in the bakery case. She didn't know how they had been missed during closing, but they would make a wonderful dessert. She gathered her booty together and took it back to the office to finish her paperwork.
Chapter 13
T he weekend before Christmas, Derek said, "After my shower, I want a blowjob."
Sonja was lying down on the bed. Later, they were going to Club Indigo to help decorate for an entire week of celebrations. Instead of the usual weekend opening, the club would open its doors every day from the day after Christmas through Sunday, January second. Sonja was rereading Daddy Issues by Evangeline Anderson and she looked up at him. He was stripping off his work attire, and she took a moment to admire his body. Although not GQ material, Derek looked good with or without clothes and she liked watching him dress and undress.
Without a backward glance, he sauntered out of the bedroom, giving her a prime view at his taut ass. He might like her ass, but she liked his as well. She fanned herself at the imagined heat.
Sonja returned her attention to the book. Luckily, the story of Detective Andi Sugarbaker was engaging. Sonja could understand the heroine's struggle with her little-nature and some of those scenes were sizzling hot! But she was also drawn to Viktor Saltanov, a strict but loving partner and Daddy Dom. Sonja didn't realize Derek had returned to the bedroom before the bed dipped and she turned her head to the side to find his erect member in front of her. Sonja licked her lips and opened eagerly. This, I like very much!
Derek took her head between his hands and guided her mouth onto his cock. Sonja opened wide and relaxed her throat muscles. She loved his control and the knowledge that he received pleasure from her. Sonja sucked and licked as Derek pumped his shaft in and out of her. She loved how he was careful never to go too deep, no matter how aroused he became. Unbelievably fast, he stilled his movements, and spurts of cum coated her mouth and throat. Sonja softly licked and suckled the head, knowing he couldn't have much but the attention added to his enjoyment. As he withdrew his cock from her mouth and bent down to give her a sweet 'thank you' kiss, she was amazed about how different this experience was from the last time he'd asked for a blowjob.
Sonja smiled and looked him in the eyes. "I really enjoyed this, Daddy."
His smile was the sweetest one she'd ever seen on him. "I know, baby girl. I did too."
As she sat beside Derek on the day after Christmas, Sonja assessed the room. They'd done a great job decorating the club and she'd had fun working alongside her friends. Having Derek's hot gaze on her and feeling his caresses during the work had been exhilarating. She'd been aroused before they'd hung the last garland.
Derek stroked the top of her breasts along the elastic of the pink baby doll dress he'd surprised her with only an hour ago. He spoiled her rotten, and sometimes she wondered what she gave him in return.
Movement on her right caught her attention, and she welcomed the dive
rsion. Adding doubt to their relationship would neither please Derek nor help herself. Sonja watched as Will Tolbert led Ruby away from the bar. Sonja had met the big, hulking man at the decorating party, but Sonja hadn't been able to get a read on him. Tonight, he looked good in leather pants and a dark button-down shirt, but Sonja didn't get the sinking feeling in her stomach that most dominants gave her.
Derek bent toward her and whispered in her ear, "Want to watch them?"
"Sure." Sonja accepted Derek's hand as he helped her to her feet. They followed the pair at a respectful distance. Sonja said in a low tone so only Derek could hear her, "They make a lovely couple, don't you think?"
Ruby had multiple piercings in her ears, nose, and navel, and a wealth of tattoos. Will had ink, too, but it was less conspicuous and would probably be hidden entirely when he was at work. Ruby was at least five foot ten but looked small beside the muscled police detective.
Derek cocked his head as he studied the two. "They look good, but I need to see their dynamic before I draw any conclusions." He greeted Bob in the hall. "I missed you at the bar."
"Yes, Kate and Chris wanted some time with Yvonne, so we were a DM short." Bob paused to let Molly and a sweat-streaked and beaming Erin pass as they headed toward the stairway.
Sonja smiled at the happy expressions on both the Domme and the nurse practitioner. She was a little sad she'd missed their scene, even if woman-on-woman action wasn't her kink.
"She looks well used," Bob commented, and Molly's smile couldn't have been more radiant.
"She did really well, but now I need to hydrate my sub." Molly nodded once and guided Erin to the downstairs area.
"Skilled Domme," Bob remarked, and Derek agreed. He ushered Sonja into the big room to witness what seemed like a face-off between Will and Ruby.
Ruby stood with hands on her hips, not an ounce of submission in her posture and tone. "You don't ask me to strip; you order me." She sighed audibly and yanked off her schoolgirl uniform. Dressed in only socks and a skimpy white bra and panty set that highlighted her colorful tattoos, she faced Will, who didn't address her earlier outburst but said, "The rest, too, if you please."
Will went to one knee to rummage through his bag and produced a set of sturdy black leather cuffs. He showed them to Ruby before buckling them on her wrists then retrieved another set and put them around her ankles. He stood up and removed his shirt. Ruby's eyes roamed his muscled torso and lingered on the tree of life on his chest near his shoulder. Sonja had to admit, the guy had a great body and wore the tattoo well.
Ruby ran her hands over his upper arms and asked, "Do you have more?"
He nodded, and Ruby made a tour around his body. Will stood perfectly still. Sonja frowned. What kind of Dom is that guy?
"Piercings?"
Will grinned. "Yep, a reverse Prince Albert and a frenum barbell."
"Cool! If you ever consider a frenum ladder, come to me," Ruby answered and wiggled her eyebrows. "Now, weren't you going to tie me to the St. Andrew's cross?"
Sonja looked at Derek. "I don't think he's in control of the scene," she whispered.
Derek shook his head. "I'm afraid you're right. Is she a switch?"
Sonja gave him a puzzled look. "I don't think so. She identifies as a sub, but I don't know her well." Sonja gestured to the DM. "Bob has played with her several times, but I've never seen their scenes."
Bob stood off to one side looking tense rather than pleased. Aware of their attention, he came over to them. "She's topping from the bottom, and if he doesn't call her on it, this won't be a satisfying scene." Bob scowled. "I don't know Will very well, but if the man has a bad temper, it might turn ugly."
"Can't you intervene as a DM?" Sonja asked softly, so as not to disturb the scene.
Bob sighed. "I could, but not as long as neither of them uses a safeword and things look under control."
Meanwhile, Will had attached Ruby to the cross with her front to the room, and Ruby moved her arms. Sonja could see from the expression on Ruby's face that the woman wasn't happy with the freedom the bindings allowed her.
Will looked around the room and his expression was tense, too. It looked like they didn't match after all, and Sonja sighed in disappointment. Will turned his attention back to Ruby and played with her breasts and nipples.
"Oh, for Christ sake, pinch me harder, or I'll be here forever!" Ruby exclaimed.
Beside Sonja, Bob rose to his feet and moved to where Will could see him in his peripheral vision. The cop stepped away from the bound submissive to see what Bob wanted. After listening, he nodded and turned back to Ruby. "Sorry, Ruby, but I'm not doing a good job dominating you. Is it okay with you if Bob joins us and gives me some pointers?" he asked.
Sonja was impressed. A lesser man might not have taken it so well. Maybe Will was not a great Dom, but he was a good person and if he was open to learning, the evening might turn out okay.
"You want to co-top me?" Ruby inquired.
Bob answered, "Will is your Dom for this scene. With his permission, I'll show him some techniques. If I were your Top, I would tan your ass. A trained submissive doesn't behave like this, Ruby, and you know that!"
At his reprimand, she looked contrite and said to Will, "I'm sorry."
"Apology ac—" Will began.
Before he could finish, Bob snapped, "Address him properly, sub!"
"Sorry, Sirs."
"That's right. If we don't like what's coming out of your mouth, we can always gag you!" Bob commented, and Ruby responded with a vehement shake of her head. Bob chuckled. "Aside from your safeword, the only words I want to hear from you are polite begging." He paused for effect. "And beg, you will!" He tightened the bonds connecting her arms to the cross and unhooked her legs. Then he produced three straps of Velcro in different lengths. He wrapped the shortest around Ruby's calves, the next inches above her knees. After putting a large vibrator with a fist-sized, round head between her legs, Bob fastened the longest strap around her thighs. "Can you move?"
Ruby tugged with her arms and legs, but nothing happened. "No, Sir."
"Good!" After switching on the wand, he tested the levels and settled on a deep humming vibration. Then, Bob turned to Will. "Look at her body. Her nipples are taut, and once we start, she'll turn rosier with the increase in her arousal. You have to engage the mind before she'll submit her body. The brain is the most important sex organ a person has. As a dominant, it is your goal to keep her focused on you and only you. Come closer, so we can continue."
Will stepped closer to the bound submissive and ran a reverent hand over the tops of her breasts, throat, and cheeks. Sonja noticed how her color there had turned a lovely shade of red. She'd also gotten a good view of Will's erection, which was significant and prominent in his trousers. Sonja grinned. Ruby wasn't the only one getting excited.
Bob handed Will a flogger and instructed the other man on using it on Ruby's breasts. "She can have more. Look at her face and not where you strike."
Will put more force in his movement, and soon Ruby started to moan and let out soft cries. Will hesitated, and Bob urged him on before turning his attention to Ruby.
He grabbed her face and waited for her to focus on him. "Are you getting close?"
"Yes, Sir," was her hoarse reply.
"What do you need to do?"
Ask for permission, Sir?"
"That's right."
"Sir, can I come?"
Bob smiled. "I don't know, can you?"
"Sir, may I come?" Ruby started to sound desperate.
Bob shook his head.
"Please, Sir. May I come, p-please?" Her body was now undulating.
"No, not quite right. Who do you ask for permission?" Bob was relentless.
"Sirs!" Ruby exclaimed. "Please, Sirs—let me come. May I come, please?" Her 'please' ended on a whine.
Bob turned to Will and asked, "Should we let her?"
Will swallowed hard and then nodded. "Yes. Come, Ruby," he growled, his voice
thick with emotion and lust.
Bob pushed the vibrator into her pussy, and Ruby cried out as her orgasm hit her full force. As Bob switched off the vibrator, Will worked on unclipping the cuffs from the cross while he held her against his body. Sonja was mesmerized by the look of reverent admiration on his face. Will captured Ruby's lips in a long and sweet kiss. Ruby's arms went around his neck and she kissed him back with passion. Next, she wrapped her legs around his hips and Will hefted her in his arms. Bob gave her bare ass a few playful swats and turned to clean the cross while the other man carried Ruby to a throne-like chair in the corner.
Derek caught Sonja's attention and gestured to the door. "Let's leave them to their aftercare, shall we?"
Sonja nodded and followed her Daddy out. Maybe she would get to do a scene, too, tonight. After the lackluster start, this scene had turned out both hot and sweet, and Sonja was turned on.
Derek groaned as Sonja answered her cellphone. He cracked one eye open. Aside from the blueish light from the phone, the room was pitch dark. He checked his watch on the nightstand. Four, bloody, thirty in the morning!
"Slow down, Suzie." Sonja was silent again. "Okay." Derek was now wide awake. Is there something wrong at the café? "Yes. All right, I'll be there as soon as I can." Sonja disconnected the call without saying goodbye and was out of the bed the same moment.
"Troubles?"
"Someone threw eggs all over the front of the café. Since it was the weekend, we don't know when, but it's a humongous mess and Connor says the paint is damaged."
Derek also got out of bed and struggled a leg into his jeans.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm coming with you." His tone didn't leave room for discussion, but that didn't deter Sonja.
"You don't need to. This isn't your problem."
"Baby girl." He gave her a stern look before pulling his long-sleeved shirt over his head. "We might not have said our vows, but I'm in this relationship for better and for worse. Besides, you don't go wandering around in the middle of the night without me."