Love My Way

by Bridget Midway

  Poppy got into Freesia’s face. “But Eagan is willing to go there and then some. If you win this contest, you think you can tell that man that you don’t want to be whipped?”

  Freesia stood her ground. “If he’s a good Master, he’ll know how to read your body. He won’t push you any further than you want to be pushed.”

  “And what if he wants to test you?” An evil smile slithered over Poppy’s face.

  “Shouldn’t you worry about that, too? You’re not here just to make new friends, right? There’s a possibility you could win this contest, too.”

  Poppy shook her head. “Possible, but not likely, not after what I did earlier at the taping. I’m sure he’s regretting that Sunny didn’t pick me to go out to dinner tonight.” She cackled and pointed to Ananda. “But that chick there. Oh, she’s definitely hitting the bricks tonight.”

  “Why the hell would you say that?” Ananda sprang from her bed.

  “Because you don’t listen, you’ve been fucking up the entire time you’ve been here, and he wanted to bounce your ass the last time we all went up for elimination.” Poppy sauntered to the door. “If I were you, trick, I would start packing bags now to get ready for the big heave-ho. Lily and Pansy, y’all ain’t got nothing to worry about. Do everything right and you’ll be coming back to the house before she does.”

  Everything Poppy had said was right. Even having a couple of trysts with Eagan wasn’t enough to keep her in the house. He’d made that abundantly clear. Tonight, she had to be smart. No time for screwing up.

  While all of the other women occupied themselves comparing notes on the next person to leave the house, Ananda crept out of the room. Talk of her going left her mouth dry. She needed a glass of water.

  The cameramen all occupied themselves with the gaggle of women clucking away at their chances. Just as she thought, no one paid any attention to her leaving the room.

  Ananda reached the kitchen. Remembering where the glasses were, she reached into the cabinet over the sink. With one push under a small tap in the refrigerator door, she poured ice-cold water into the glass. Before she could get it to her mouth, she screeched at the person she saw standing behind her and fumbled her glass in her hand.

  “Shh!” Willow said and brought her hands up, as though shushing a small child. “I’m not trying to scare you.”

  “You could have fooled me.” Ananda set her glass onto the counter and wiped her mouth.

  “What are you doing out of your room?” Willow asked.

  “I was just thirsty. I was going to get a drink, then go right back to the room. I promise.”

  “You know the rules. Anything you need, you call me or Apple on the intercom.” She shook her head. “You know Master Eagan won’t like this.”

  A statement like that meant that Willow planned on squealing to her Master. Great. So much for behaving.

  In the silence of the kitchen, Ananda heard a piano being played. She turned her head to hear the song better.

  “Want to see?” Willow asked with a smile.

  Ananda nodded.

  “Follow me.”

  Ananda was already in trouble. Might as well go for it all, before getting bounced. She followed the nearly naked woman out of the kitchen and down a long, dark hallway. Down a short flight of stairs, Willow stopped at a heavy door. She put her finger to her lips to signal her to keep quiet. Ananda nodded again, although in the dark hallway, Willow probably didn’t see the gesture.

  Willow pushed the door a hair to look through a small sliver of a crack. She crouched down, allowing Ananda to stand over her to see. Through the small space, she watched Eagan behind a piano in a large open studio. His back faced Ananda and Willow so Ananda felt safe watching him secretly.

  Ananda broke her gaze from him once to scan the room. Mirrors lined the walls on two sides. Windows from ceiling to floor covered the other two sides and showed off an impressive waterfront view.

  What a life. Ananda could live and die in this room. It had to have been the best damn dance studio ever.

  “Master Eagan normally plays when he’s wound up,” Willow whispered. She peered up. “I don’t think he’s having as much fun with this contest as he thought he would.”

  “Has he talked about who he thinks will win this thing?” Ananda had to know what was in his head. If she knew that, she might have a shot. Not likely, but she could dream.

  “No, he hasn’t said anything to me. You would have better luck asking Apple or Aspen.”

  “Who?” That was a new name Ananda hadn’t heard before. Who the hell was Aspen and where had she or he been in this entire contest?

  The music stopped at the same time Eagan said, “Willow, who are you talking to?”

  Oh, shit! So much for lying low.

  * * * *

  Eagan thought he had heard voices while he played. Not uncommon now with all of the people roaming his home lately. However, they all knew to stay away from his dance studio, his sanctuary. And he’d heard two voices. One, he knew, was Willow’s. Her light voice proved distinctive enough to be distinguished even in a room of crying, moaning, and begging submissives and slaves at a play party.

  He’d also seen their reflections in the mirror. Willow’s dark hair in its pixie cut stood out to him first. The person standing over her was harder to recognize.

  Eagan turned around on his bench and faced the door. “Both of you, come in here now.”

  Willow stood erect and entered the room first. Waiting a few seconds after her, another person strolled inside. Begonia. Was the woman looking to get herself eliminated or what?

  “I’m sorry, sir.” Willow chewed her lower lip. “I didn’t think you heard us.”

  Eagan stood. “I did.” He glared at Begonia, who now found it difficult to look him in the eyes. “So what are you doing here?”

  Begonia opened her mouth, but Willow cut her off. “I heard you playing and I asked her to come with me to watch you.”

  “So you went to Begonia’s room and retrieved her?” Eagan stalked toward the duo.

  “Um, no, sir.”

  “So Begonia was out of her room when you decided that it would be great for the two of you to have your own concert?”

  Willow lowered her gaze to the floor.

  “No, look at me,” he demanded. He waited until she looked up again before addressing her. “The rules are very clear here. Contestants are only allowed out of their rooms during taping and if escorted by you or Apple.”

  He saw Willow’s small mouth open until he cut her off.

  “And that’s escorting with my permission. I didn’t give you or Begonia permission to take her on another tour of my house, did I?”

  Willow shook her head.

  “I want to hear it, Willow.”

  The petite beauty took a deep breath before speaking. “No, sir.”

  He pointed to Begonia. “You, come on in here now.” Then pointed to Willow. “You, go get Apple and have her do an enema on you.”

  Willow’s bottom jaw unhinged. “Yes, sir. I will.”

  “Leave me alone with Begonia, please.”

  “Yes, sir.” Willow grabbed Eagan’s hand and kissed the back of it. “Thank you, sir. Thank you.” She ran out of the room faster than a crack of a whip.

  Next, it was Begonia’s turn. Eagan stood in front of her, peering down into her soulful eyes. Her smell made him feel light-headed.

  “Willow must really like you,” he began. “She never breaks the rules for anyone.”

  “And as soon as she does, you punish her for it.” Begonia crossed her arms over her chest.

  Eagan chuckled. “Don’t let her fool you. Willow loves enemas. She loves anal play in general.” He turned away from her.

  “So you rewarded her?”

  Eagan understood the underlying question. Did Eagan want Begonia there? Was he actually grateful Willow had brought her to the room? He was, but she didn’t need to know that.

  He turned away from her and went to
what looked like a solid wall. With one push at a corner, the wall opened, revealing a professional sound system. He pushed several buttons until Lakme’s “Flower Duet” played.

  He loved waltzing to this tune. And if Begonia was going to be in his presence and looking so delectable, then he would have to touch her.

  He marched toward her. “Since you’re here, I’ll teach you how to waltz.”

  “I would like that, sir.” She spoke softly and smiled so hard that she must have thought she had been rewarded.

  “Take this back home to your friends at the dancercise class.”

  Begonia’s smile melted. Reality must have hit her that he could still drop her if she didn’t play her cards right.

  Eagan held up his hands. “Take my left hand and put your other hand on my shoulder.” She did so, keeping her arms raised in seemingly perfect position.

  He blinked at the natural way she fell into position. “Did your instructors teach you that in class or are you really a dancer?”

  “I watch a lot of ballroom dancing shows.” Begonia’s already impressive posture improved, making her look even longer and leaner. Her shoulders went back and she stared at him.

  “Let’s see if you paid attention.” He placed his hand at her waist and stepped forward.

  Begonia took a long step back, impressing him even further. He wasn’t going to push her like a professional, but she seemed to be going for it, so why not?

  “Nice position.” Their rises and falls matched perfectly. Every nerve in his body tingled from just the smooth way she handled the dance.

  “Thank you, sir.” Begonia had looked him in the eyes the entire time, then turned her gaze away.

  “Have you ever heard this song before?” he asked.

  “Yes. It’s very beautiful.” She twirled on the floor with him.

  “Keep your head up. Shoulders back.”

  She did so and cleared her throat.

  “Do you know the meaning behind the song?”

  She paused, then answered, “No, sir.”

  His stomach tightened. He didn’t feel she was being one-hundred percent honest with him, but he didn’t question her. Why would she lie about her dancing experience? If anything, especially now, she should have been honest and bragged about not only being a great cook, but a wonderful dancer, which she was. With every step, she impressed him more and more.

  “This song is a conversation between a servant girl and her mistress,” Eagan began. “There’s a love there that’s not fully expressed, but you can feel it.” He pressed his hand harder into the small of her back. “Notice how their voices complement each other. It’s a harmonious union.”

  “It’s a very beautiful song.” Begonia moved her body in closer to his, mashing her breasts against his chest.

  Damn. If she knew how good that felt she wouldn’t do this, especially not in this room.

  Eagan leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “Cameras.”

  It was all he had to say for her to gaze up to the ceiling then to the corners of the room. Then she brought her attention back to him and nodded.

  “So why did you have a dance studio built into your home?” she asked.

  “Although I love producing, my first love is dance. I took several years of it growing up and it just stuck with me. The discipline, the holds coupled with the softness of expression. It’s all so very reminiscent of BDSM. There’s always one that leads. It’s all about perfect positions, trust in your partner that he—” He dipped her back. “—or she will never let you fall.” Then, he brought her back to her feet. “It’s also about mind games. You let the audience think you and your partner are truly in love, but in all actuality, you may hate each other.”

  “So it’s more like acting than anything else.”

  Eagan’s smile disappeared. He broke his hold from her. “If you want to look at it that way, you can.”

  After Eagan turned off the music toward the end of the song, Begonia said, “Thank you for the dance.”

  He turned to her. “I hope you cook as well as you dance.”

  “I hope I’m here long enough for you to experience my cooking.”

  Eagan stood in front of Begonia. Things he wanted to tell her tumbled in his head. Who was she? What was she truly doing in this competition? Did she feel the same way about him as he was starting to feel for her, and if so, did it scare the living daylights out of her, too?

  Instead, he took a step back. “See you at dinner tonight.”

  Begonia released a long breath. “Yes, sir.” Then she bowed her head and swayed out of the room.

  The sway grabbed his attention. And had he kept dancing with her, she would have captured more of his heart. Who was Begonia and what was she trying to do to him? He had to find out. Only one person had the answer.

  Chapter Eleven

  Ananda stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror before the mask covered her face. Her body hummed each time she thought about her dance with Eagan earlier that day. Every time she’d been with him, he revealed more and more of himself, which was murder for her. The more she knew about him, the more she started to like him.

  Damn. Where was Darnell when she needed him? He could always point out the faults that Ananda never noticed. Damn telephone rule. If she had access to the phone, she could call her best friend to see how she was doing and know what Eagan was thinking.

  Ananda heard some heavy footfalls. Outside of the bedroom door, she saw Lily and Pansy scurrying down the hall. Ananda glanced at her watch.

  Shit! If it was right, she only had a minute. She quickly donned her mask. As soon as she ran out of the bathroom, Sunny was there.

  “Ready?” Sunny asked and took Ananda’s hand.

  “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

  Ananda walked hand-in-hand with the woman who had immunity. Sunny could have easily blown off this dinner if she wanted and not get eliminated. Sunny had made it very apparent that she didn’t plan on losing this competition. The way things were going it looked like she would be walking away from this as the winner.

  Ananda and Sunny ran to the limousine waiting in front of the house.

  “Right on time, ladies,” Richard said and tipped his hat. He closed the door behind them as soon as they leapt into the car.

  Besides Ananda and the other three contestants, a cameraman with his lens pointing toward their faces and a boom operator sat in the back of the car with them. No Eagan, though.

  “I thought Master Eagan would be riding with us.” Pansy expressed disappointment through her light brown eyes.

  “More head games, I’m sure.” Lily crossed her thin legs. “He’s probably already at the restaurant waiting for us.”

  “Have you all thought about going to a public restaurant wearing our masks?” Ananda asked.

  The women all got quiet and glanced around at each other. Guess the gravity of taking this act public hadn’t hit them, until Ananda brought it up. It had definitely hit her as soon as Eagan mentioned what the prize would be. It was one thing to play submissive at home. It was another to do it in public. What would people think of her?

  The one great thing about the mask was that it afforded her a tiny piece of privacy. Only Darnell would know who she was…Darnell and her mother. Ananda balled her hands into fists.

  “I hadn’t thought about it,” Sunny finally answered coolly. “Think about it, ladies. Do you really think that if you win this competition that you’ll be confined to the house? I’m sure Master Eagan will take you out in public and treat you the way he’ll treat us tonight. Tonight will be a great indication of whether you all want to stay in this contest and the Lifestyle. But Lily and Pansy, you two already know that.”

  If they did, why did they look so worried?

  The limo pulled in front of a restaurant called Belle. Ivy crawled over the building and posts in front with pink and white flowers blooming all over. No wonder Eagan liked this place. The man seemed to have a thing for flowers, tree
s, and all things natural. So what was up with his unnatural affection for BDSM? Ananda didn’t get it.

  Richard opened the door, but Ananda and the other ladies stayed cemented in their spots until he presented his hand to escort the first brave woman out. That woman was Sunny. She grabbed his hand and stepped out of the car first.

  “No time like the present.” Ananda took Richard’s hand and hauled herself out of the car. She didn’t wait for the other women to get out.

  One of the valets opened the front door, staring at her and Sunny with his head cocked as they walked through the doors.

  “You must be guests of Mr. Morton.” The maitre d’ beamed.

  Nowhere in the world would a restaurant employee smile at two masked women. Had they stepped into an alternate universe?

  “Step this way.” He led the women to a large table that sat in the middle of the restaurant.

  It was then Ananda noticed two things right away. One, Eagan was not at the table already. And two, aside from the valets, maitre d’, and wait staff, the restaurant was completely empty.

  “Are you all closed today?” Ananda asked as she was seated.

  “No, ma’am. Mr.Morton paid to have our establishment to himself.” He handed each woman a menu, then went over the specials. “I sincerely hope you enjoy your dining experience.” He bowed and walked away.

  “We’re here all alone?” Lily asked in a whisper. “That’s kind of a relief.”

  “But it’s not a real experience.” Sunny shook her head. “I was looking forward to mingling with the mainstream crowd.”

  “I guess this way Eagan and the camera crews can really catch who’s making mistakes throughout dinner.” Ananda lifted her menu. When she saw Sunny had left hers sitting on the table, she thought better of it and set hers down as well.

  The camera crews and boom operators moved in. A tickle went through Ananda’s belly as soon as they showed up. Eagan was near. She felt it. Something was going to happen.

  As she suspected, through the main opening, walked in the man of the hour. Eagan Morton wore a black suit with a crisp white shirt and a striking red tie. Damn, she wanted to fuck him, right here, right now.