by Tori Carson
She shook her head.
He chuckled as he picked her up and spun her around. “Me neither.” He gave her a soft kiss on the cheek before putting her down. “Okay, I’ll forgive you this time.” His voice made it clear he was teasing her.
“You’re so kind,” Brianna sassed back as she transferred the food from the skillet to the plates. “Do you eat standing up?”
“I’ve been known to, but I think we’d be more comfortable in the living room. You can sit on my lap.” Steven poured juice into two glasses then led the way.
His ratty old recliner was more comfortable than she imagined. She rather enjoyed being nestled in his arms. Perhaps they didn’t need more furniture after all.
“I didn’t like waking up alone.”
She hadn’t thought of that. “I’m a morning person. As soon as the sun came through the window, I woke up and started getting hungry.” Considering his job, he was probably a late sleeper.
“No problem, just make sure I’m awake first, please.” His voice was tight and she could imagine what went through his mind, waking up alone.
“Sure. I’m sorry.” He probably feared she’d taken off again.
“You don’t need to apologize, Brianna. We just have some logistics to work out. Thank you for breakfast. It was delicious. Why don’t we start our day? We have a lot of shopping to do.”
Brianna laughed. “You actually sound excited about shopping. Who are you and what have you done with Steven? You used to have the groceries delivered so you didn’t have to step foot in a store.”
“I still have my groceries delivered. There’s a difference between buying the necessities to turn this house into a home and being surrounded by soccer moms trying to find their coupons for pork roast.”
He wanted a home with her. It seemed too good to be true. She hopped off his lap and took the dishes into the kitchen. A little breathing space would allow her to rein in her emotions.
About an hour later, Steven was pulling the car into the parking lot of a professional building. “The testing center the club uses is here. It’ll only take a few minutes.” He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it before walking around and opening her door.
The lab was clean and busy. She found a seat near the door while he went to the window. The receptionist’s face lit up as she saw Steven approach. She slid the window open and put her hand on his. Surprising Brianna, Steven placed his other hand on top of hers and gave her a genuine smile.
Brianna was too far away to hear what was being said, but Steven immediately walked through the employees-only door, jumping ahead of everyone seated in the lobby. Her stomach churned watching the familiarity that passed between them.
A few moments later, Steven came out the same door he’d entered and took Brianna’s hand before leading her from the building. “You doing okay, pretty girl?”
“Sure.” Her voice was clipped and cold.
Once in the car, she turned her head away from him and looked out the passenger window.
“Where’s your smile this morning, Brianna? Did you leave it back at the house? We can go back and get it if necessary.” His voice had a forced levity to it.
“I’m fine, Steven.” She wanted to be fine. She wished seeing him take that woman’s hand hadn’t bothered the hell out of her. It was just a friendly gesture, completely acceptable in any given setting, and yet it left her feeling uneasy and unsettled.
Steven pulled the car off to the side of the road and slid the transmission into park. He turned in his seat and laid a hand on her shoulder while resting his other elbow on the steering wheel. “We’re not doing this, Brianna. You’re not fine and I want to know why.”
“You can’t just park here. You’re going to get a ticket.” She started to panic. The last thing she wanted to do was admit to being jealous. He worked with women, naked or nearly so, beautiful women, all night long. He wouldn’t put up with a girlfriend who freaked out every time he spoke to a girl.
“Then I’ll get a citation because we aren’t moving until I understand what’s going on in that pretty head of yours.” He was concerned. Worry was evident in his eyes. His body language was aggressive, but Brianna knew it was directed at the problem, not at her. He would never physically harm her.
“You are a stubborn man.” She huffed and brought her hand to the collar around her neck. Touching the cool, gold links brought her a modicum of peace. “I forgot how demonstrative you are. It caught me off guard.”
His eyes narrowed and his jaw ticked. She imagined he was counting to ten to keep from saying something he hadn’t completely thought through. He was a confident and patient man. The passage of time meant little to him. Gaps of silence didn’t seem to faze him as they did her.
She bit her tongue and held on to the seatbelt to keep from touching his face and begging him to accept her flaws and all.
Eventually, nine or ten years later it seemed, he pulled the gearshift back into drive and merged with traffic. “What did I do that upset you?”
“You seemed to know the receptionist quite well.” Her tone was cold and bitchy instead of the casual she’d been shooting for.
“Sabrina?” He flicked his turn signal and headed off the island.
“You must know her well to remember her name.” Damn it, why couldn’t she just keep her mouth shut?
“Lose the attitude, Brianna. We can discuss anything and anyone you’d like, but we will do it respectfully.”
“Yes, Master.” She was immediately contrite and a little aroused. His voice was a powerful tool and he wielded it with precision. “I apologize.”
“Sabrina helps out at the club during community events. At those times, I’m her boss so I need to know her name.” He was gripping the steering wheel and shifter a little too tight. Though he sounded at ease, Brianna knew better.
“I’ve never held hands with any of my bosses.” She turned slightly and watched the scenery pass by.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
They drove for a few minutes in silence. Brianna reached over and turned on the radio. She couldn’t take the quiet, she needed a distraction or she’d sink into her head and self-doubt would consume her.
“Why don’t you just ask me the questions bouncing around in that busy head of yours? I told you, I’m open to any conversation. I only demand it be done respectfully.”
“Do you have a thing going on with her?” She couldn’t look at him. She knew she was blowing it. This line of questioning would only piss him off. Clubs were a part of his life before in New York. Now it was how he made his living. He’d already told her he was happy with his job and didn’t intend to leave it. If she wanted to be with him, she had to get over this.
“I’ve answered that question already.”
Yes, he had. He said he wasn’t serious with anyone. Why did she continue to pursue it? “Are you attracted to her?”
“Not particularly. You are the only woman I’ve ever dreamed about at night. It’s your smile that I want to see when I wake up each morning. Your body I want to snuggle while I sleep.” He reached over and took her hand. “You own my heart, Brianna. Just you.”
She believed him. Steven wasn’t the type of man to bullshit a woman. He meant what he said and yet she worried that someday the rose-colored glasses would come off and he’d see all her flaws. “Thank you, Steven. I’m a very lucky woman.”
* * * * *
They’d visited store after store and racked up quite the total. While getting his life back in order, he’d lived like a miser. It had become a habit. Since Sean paid exceedingly well, their shopping trip barely made a dent in the savings Steven had accumulated.
It was easy to tell what items Brianna loved and he bought them all. The smile on her face was worth every penny. The fact that they had very similar tastes didn’t hurt either. The only item he had insisted on was blackout curtains for the bedroom. He never wanted to relive the terror he’d gone through waking up in bed alone this morning
The day had gone by quickly. They’d purchased or ordered furniture to fill the common areas and their bedroom. One of the spare rooms he was considering converting into a play area and the other two he was fine with leaving empty for a while. He didn’t want to encourage visitors and perhaps someday they would be used as a nursery or bedrooms for their children. God, he hoped it went that far. Now that Brianna was back in his life, he wanted the whole package.
“Are you working tonight?” Brianna asked as they pulled into the driveway.
“Yes, the club is open Tuesday through Saturday. Tonight, well every Wednesday night, we put on a discipline demo. Sean used to handle most of those, but Michelle isn’t comfortable scening in public, so I’ve taken them over.” Up until now, he’d spent most of his time at the club, whether it was open or not. Now that Brianna was back in his life, he intended to change that.
“Sean allows that?” Brianna sounded like Sean taking Michelle’s feelings into account was hard to believe.
“He loves her, honey. Of course he’ll do whatever is necessary to keep her happy. She didn’t have any club experience when he hired her. That first evening I expected her to run out the door screaming, but she handled it like a trooper.” He shook his head at the absurdity of a sex-club owner hooking up with a woman who was uncomfortable with public nudity and refused to scene in public, but it was working for them. Sean seemed happier than he’d ever seen him before and he no longer spent his every waking moment at the club.
“A man will do a lot to keep his woman happy, Brianna.” He knew he would. If she would only open up to him and tell him what she needed, he would move heaven and earth to make sure she had it.
“It just surprises me, since he’s the owner and all. I would expect the lifestyle to be of paramount importance to him.”
“Michelle is his number one priority. Everything else takes a backseat. Just like you are my number one priority. Nothing matters but you.”
Brianna nodded and squeezed his hand, but there was definitely a silent dialogue taking place in her head that he wasn’t privy to. “Care to share your thoughts, pretty girl?”
“I’m just trying to take it all in. You have to give me the fact that my life has changed dramatically in the last twenty-four hours.”
“For the better?” Was he moving too fast? Had she expected them to just date, or something mundane? Perhaps she wanted to pretend their back history didn’t exist. He thought that over for a moment and decided tough shit. He wanted her by his side.
Brianna shifted in her seat and waited until he had the car in park. Once he met her gaze, she smiled. “Of course, it’s for the better. You have no idea how I fretted over meeting you again. I had no idea what kind of reception I’d receive. I never imagined we’d be buying furniture together this soon.”
“Not just furniture. We bought paintings, rugs, accent pillows and shit I don’t even know the proper names for.”
“You poor baby. You’ve had your comfortable life turned on its ear. I’m afraid your less-is-more decorating style has been kicked to the curb. However will you manage?” Sassy Brianna was making an appearance.
He’d allow it for a bit. “Perhaps your wardrobe will have to move in that direction. Less pants and more skirts. Less underwear and more access. What do you think?”
A beautiful, pink blush covered her cheeks. “That would entail more shopping, but I’m game if you are.” She leaned over and kissed him softly.
“I enjoyed shopping with you. It was a lot more fun than I expected.” He’d nearly laughed his ass off when he’d bent her over the first couch to check to see if the height was correct. Her eyes had been the size of saucers. She hadn’t realized he’d waited until he knew they were in relative privacy before he’d done it. He’d never purposely embarrass his girl.
Her cheeks deepened to a lovely red. “I can only imagine what you’d do in the produce isle. You were really lucky we didn’t get caught.”
Luck had nothing to do with it. Careful planning and observation had ensured their fun stayed fun. “Some of those salespeople needed a little excitement to brighten their day.”
She shook her head but stopped short of arguing with him.
“What do you have planned for the demo this evening?” she asked quietly.
He wondered if she was nervous or anxiously anticipating their playtime. “I’ll have to check the website to be sure, but I think it’s Semenawa. Are you comfortable demoing some of the more confining ties?” They still hadn’t discussed discipline and if she decided she couldn’t do it, he’d ask Luke to take it over.
Luke was a good guy. He’d been a member since the club had opened. He’d lost his wife a few months ago and was slowly easing back into a leadership role at the club. If Steven asked, Luke would most likely help him out.
“I don’t know what that is. Have we done it before?” The tip of her fingernail was between her teeth.
“We’ve played some with Shibari. I remember one time we had a ‘funishment’ using rope. I think I put you in a shrimp tie for a few minutes. Mainly I remember the mind-blowing sex we had afterward.” On her interest inventory, Brianna had approved all types of bondage and restraints. Since this was a demo and lacked the ramifications or emotional impact behind a true discipline, he’d hoped it wouldn’t cause any distress.
“I wasn’t familiar with the term. Sure, you can tie me up. I don’t have a problem with that. No one else will be up on stage with us, right?”
Steven needed to think about her question. There were several reasons why she might ask, but he needed to know where her concern lay. He stepped out of the car and opened the trunk before walking around and opening her door. It pleased him that she waited for him. So many women these days sprinted out of the vehicle that being a gentleman was fast becoming a lost art.
“Let’s bring our haul inside then we can check out the website and see exactly what’s on the agenda for this evening. Try out your key and make sure it works while I bring the stuff in.”
Brianna looked back at the trunk, put her fingernail between her teeth again, and hesitated.
“Go. I’m not going to let you carry the packages so don’t bother asking.”
“You sound like a grumpy old bear with a thorn in his paw.” She laughed.
“I’m a lax Dom with an uppity sub.” He smacked her on the ass before returning to the trunk. It would take a bit of time before they fell into a comfortable routine. Intellectually, he knew that. In practice, he wanted it now. Since she was stonewalling him on the discipline issue, he was having to walk a tightrope.
It took him several trips, but he finally brought in their treasures. Brianna was already distributing them to the correct rooms and deciding exactly where they needed to be. At least she was comfortable in their home. The furniture would arrive in bits and pieces over the next few days. It was ridiculous how happy picking out paintings and throw pillows had made him.
While she put away the last bag, he went upstairs and pulled out his laptop. He was pretty sure what he’d find, but he was using the time to consider how best to address her concerns.
A few moments after he’d brought up the calendar on his computer, Brianna threw herself onto the bed at his feet. He couldn’t help but smile at her exuberance. Apparently, shopping was a happy button for her.
“What did you find out? You know, I have all the passwords and I can alter the calendar to say anything you want it to.”
He shook his head. “You’re such a naughty girl. Maybe tonight’s demo needs to be an actual session instead.”
“You’re such a meanie. I was only trying to be helpful.” She tried to act pouty, but her smile was curving up the edges of her lips and blowing the effect entirely.
“I was right. It’s Semenawa. What are your worries about this evening?” He’d decided not to try to assume what she was thinking.
Her hands moved in front of her face, blocking his view of her expressions.
Slowly, she pulled her hands away. “None, really.”
“Try that again, pretty girl.”
This time she dropped her head onto her arms and groaned in frustration.
“Need I point out, you approved the use of impact discipline? You are well on your way to earning several swats.” He’d prefer not to go down that road until they’d come to a consensus. Hopefully, she wouldn’t back him into a wall.
She propped her chin on the heel of her hand. “Technically, you’ve already answered my question. I don’t know why I keep bringing it up.”
“Are you worried I’d allow someone else to touch you?” He was cautious, hoping he wasn’t putting words in her mouth.
She had begun to shake her head no, but stopped and looked up at him a second or two later. “Would you?”
“No, Brianna. No one touches my girl. It’s one of the reasons why you’re wearing my collar. I want everyone to know you’re taken. I should have had my name embossed along the front so there wouldn’t be any question as to who you belong to.” Relief flashed in her eyes. At least he’d removed that concern. “What was your initial question, pretty girl?”
“Will I be the only model?” Her eyes met and held his.
Back to this again? He’d never been unfaithful to her…while they were an item. Why was she doubting him? What would it take before she understood he was serious about only wanting her? “You are my only model, my only partner, and my only love. Just you, Brianna.”
“Thank you, Master. I don’t mean to annoy you with stupid questions.” She pulled her bottom lip into her mouth and looked at him under half-closed eyes.
“If you have a doubt, I want you to ask. Earlier today, when I pointed out that I’d already answered your question, it wasn’t because I was annoyed. I just wanted to bring home the fact that I’m not looking for a creative out. I said I wasn’t in a relationship with anyone and I meant it. I promised to be faithful to you and I meant it. Touching Sabrina’s hand falls within our definition of faithful, but if it bothers you, I won’t do that either. All you have to do is tell me what it will take to make you happy and I will do my damnedest to see that it happens.”
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