by Suzy Shearer
Kallie was stunned, but Alex pushed her gently in the back and moved her to the restaurant. Intrigued she allowed him to guide her. What on earth was that about?
The maître d’ guided them to their table and they sat. Kallie looked at Alex. One side of his face bore the stark red imprint of the woman’s hand.
“I apologise for Pamela’s behavior.”
Kallie looked him in surprise.
“I believe she is labouring under the impression I had placed that collar around your neck.”
Kallie lifted a hand to her throat running her fingers across her collar. “I don’t understand.”
“Until a month ago, Pamela and I had an agreement, but she left when she realised I had no intention of collaring her or any woman. I would imagine she thought you were her replacement and, despite my words, had actually collared you.”
“This is just a necklace.”
“Please, Ms. Robins, don’t try my intelligence. We both know you are a collared sub.”
Kallie shrank in her seat. “How did you know? Did Dan say something?”
“No, Dan never mentioned it. However, you did call me sir at one point last night. Then you confirmed my suspicions by coming down to dinner.”
In her head, Kallie was swearing at herself. She tried to keep her face expressionless. Alex looked at her and gave a laugh. His sexy all-male look went directly to her panties.
“Now we have formally established you are a sub I shall order for you.”
“No thank you. I prefer to choose for myself.”
He raised one eyebrow and sighed heavily. “This is tedious, Ms. Robins. Shall we assume you are reluctant to submit to me in any way, shape, or form and that I will continue to demand you do and get on with it? Now is there any particular food you don’t wish to eat?”
Kallie was sure her mouth was open in shock but was surprised her even more was her reaction to him. “Seafood, I don’t eat seafood. Or offal.”
“Very good.”
He signalled the waiter and ordered an entree for them both. For Kallie he ordered grilled halloumi, fig in pastry, pea mousse, and, for himself, Patagonian toothfish with togarashi and boudin noir crumbs. To follow he ordered Noisettes d’Agneau, lamb medallions with potato au gratin and baby spinach for them both.
“I’ll look at the dessert menu later. Thank you.” He dismissed the waiter then looked at Kallie until she felt unsettled. “So, Ms. Robins…”
She actually felt naked before his eyes.
“Might I say that you look extremely attractive in that dress? Please tell me about yourself. I know you have a very alluring voice, but I think there is a lot more to you than that.”
In shock Kallie wasn’t sure how to answer him and so was rather abrupt. “What do you want to know?”
“Surprisingly I want to know everything.”
“Surprisingly?”
“Yes. I don’t usually take much interest in my subs’ private lives outside of how it affects their being with me, but I find myself wanting to know about you.”
Kallie wasn’t sure she heard him correctly. Indigently she said, “I’m not your sub!”
“Aren’t you?”
“Definitely not!”
“Yet you came tonight, despite your hesitance. You allowed me to choose your meal. Even now you look at me with eyes that hint of passion.”
“I was foolish. I should never have come, especially after you were so rude last night.”
“Yes, I was.”
Kallie waited, thinking he would apologise but he didn’t speak. She felt confused, aroused, frightened, and more than a little angry at his presumption. After a minute or two he spoke again.
“I would like to discuss our relationship later tonight. I find it wise to lay it down from the beginning and to have a contract in place.”
Livid she said, “Relationship?”
That did it! Kallie’s anger grew more and more till now it flew completely off the charts. Furiously taking the napkin from her lap she threw it down. Then putting her hands on the table she leant forward and hissed at him quietly.
“How dare you! As you have mentioned, I wear a collar, yet you talk about a relationship with me. That is the most unbecoming conduct for a Dom I have ever experienced. You are, without a doubt, the most arrogant, disrespectful, and conceited man I have ever had the misfortune to meet. If I never see you again, it will be too soon. Go to hell, Mr. Harrison!”
With that she stood and walked proudly from the restaurant, her heart pounding in her chest while she prayed she wouldn’t fall over from her legs shaking so much. By the time she’d reached the elevators she was crying. She kept jabbing at the Up button hoping it would arrive quickly. As soon as the doors began to open she pushed her way inside and pushed the level 3 button. The doors were closing when Alex pushed his hand between them and entered the lift with her.
Kallie, standing in the corner of the lift, her face downcast and her arms around her, was trying to stop her tears.
“You left your bag on the table.”
As she raised her face to look at him the doors opened for her floor, so she wrenched the bag from his outstretched hand without speaking and dashed out. Alex followed her. Her hands shook too much as she tried to take the key card and swipe the door lock. She dropped both her purse and the card. Alex stooped, picked them up, swiped the door key, and opened it for her.
She raced in knowing he was behind her. She heard him shut the door. Without turning around she cried. “Go away!”
“No.”
“What do you want from me? Just leave me alone!”
“I can’t.”
She turned around in surprise. His voice sounded so different. He looked and sounded lost. She watched as Alex walked over to the window and looked out then turned back to face her.
“I’m so sorry, Ms. Robins, Kallista. I don’t know what came over me. I have no excuse. I…I have no idea how to do this properly. I’ll leave you.”
He walked over to her. As he looked down at her, his face softened as he brushed his fingers across her cheek. His touch was electric, and helplessly she closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them, those green eyes were looking down at her intently.
“My behaviour from the moment I met you was and still is inexcusable. Please accept my sincere apology.”
He stepped to the door then turned back as he opened it.
“You’ve bewitched me. You’re all I’ve thought about in the past month. I can honestly say I’ve never felt this way before, and I have no idea how to act around you. I realise I’ve insulted you and been extremely rude and arrogant. On top of that I’ve now hurt you and made you cry. I…I’m so sorry. I’ve behaved inappropriately, considering you are collared. I’m such a fool. I shan’t bother you again.”
With that he walked out, closing the door behind him.
Chapter Five
Alex walked sadly to the lift bay. He had no idea what had come over him to act the way he had. Maybe his anger toward Pamela for assuming he’d collared a sub after a few weeks when she’d been with him for so long. Maybe overconfidence. He shook his head. No—maybe he was just a fool. He stabbed angrily at the Down button.
He’d been truthful when he told Kallie she was all he’d thought about since hearing her voice. It had taken all of his willpower not to ask Dan all about her. He’d been stunned when she turned out to be at dinner last night. He hadn’t expected her to be there, never even considered the possibility. When he saw her she blew him away with her beauty.
Tiny.
Perfect.
She’d fit under his arm but with a body that made his cock spring to attention. Then he’d seen the solid ring of gold around her neck, heard the slip when she’d called him sir, and somehow he’d known she was a sub. His heart had rejoiced, but it had shocked him. At his first sight of her he could never have imagined the effect she had on him. He’d never reacted to a woman that way in his entire life.
He’d
been tongue-tied all night, unable to talk. He felt like a love-struck schoolboy. So frightened he’d say the wrong thing, he kept watching her, marvelling at her voice, at the way she held herself, and at the way she’d bite her bottom lip.
Instead of relaxing he acted his usual arrogant self but that was only when he’d been game enough to open his mouth. Looking back he realised that those few words he had said had been completely wrong—never using her first name, ordering her to take his car, and demanding her to have dinner with him.
She’d made it plain with that crack about McDonalds she didn’t want to eat with him, and he’d just brushed her refusal aside. He’d known as a sub, she’d be hesitant to not obey him. Stacy had once told him it was a natural sub reaction to comply with a Dom—any Dom—when given an order. Even morally worse than everything else he’d done wrong, Kallie wore a collar, and he’d made a play for another man’s sub! That was more than offensive. It was unforgivable!
Alex had no idea what he’d been thinking. His behaviour was the direct opposite of how he lived his life. It was as if any brain that he had had disappeared. He walked through the lobby unseeing. Going back into the restaurant, he apologised to the maître d’ and settled the account. Walking back through the lobby he saw the open hotel’s florist shop. He entered and looked around.
“May I help you, sir?”
“Thank you. I like a large arrangement.”
“Certainly. Anything in particular?”
Vehemently shaking his head, he said, “Not roses!”
She looked around and pointed to several arrangements nearby. “What about something like this, peonies and hydrangeas?”
Alex looked at them. Soft pink and salmon pink peonies dominated the arrangement with a few creamy green hydrangeas. He liked it. It reminded him of Kallie, soft and delicate.
“Can you put them into a vase?”
“Of course. They look lovely in these round glass bowls, like a goldfish bowl.” She pointed to several on a shelf.
“Yes, I’d like that. The biggest you have. Can I have a card please?”
The woman gave him several cards to choose from and a pen and then went to complete the arrangement. Alex stood for a moment wondering what he should write.
Ms. Robins—Kallista, I can only apologise profusely again. My behaviour was vulgar and reprehensible. I shall never bother you again. Alex Harrison.
He put the card into an envelope and wrote Kallista Robins on the front. The woman returned with the arrangement, and he handed her the card, which she pinned to the ribbon dangling from the neck of the vase. Alex paid for the flowers, left, and crossed to the reception desk.
“Can you get these to Kallista Robins immediately? She’s on the third floor, suite three oh seven.”
“Of course, sir.”
The receptionist beckoned to a valet and gave him the flowers and instructions. Alex thanked them and walked out into the night.
Charles wouldn’t be here with the car. He’d sent him home, telling him he’d ring when he had finished dining and talking with Kallie. He’d catch a cab rather than bother Charles, but instead of looking for one he began walking aimlessly.
Well, Dan had certainly cursed him when he wished he’d come a cropper because he really didn’t have any idea of what had hit him. He felt completely lost and bewildered. His emotions were haywire, and he had no idea how to cope. All he could think about was Kallie—how she had looked at him, her anger, of how he’d made her cry, and of the way he’d acted like a complete and utter jerk.
As he wandered along the streets it began to rain, but he took no notice. Only when he began feeling cold and wet did Alex finally realise it was raining. He needed to find a cab.
It took fifteen minutes to get a cab. Seemed like everyone had the same idea but soon he was on his way home. When the driver went to pull into his estate, he tapped on the glass and redirected him to Dan’s. Dan would still be up at eight thirty. When they reached Dan’s front gate he changed his mind again and ordered the cabbie to take him back home. He could easily see the driver wasn’t impressed. A soaking seat and a client who couldn’t make up his mind about where he wanted to go but a hefty tip soon made him smile after they pulled up at Alex’s front door.
He let himself in. Dragging his feet he trudged wearily through the open foyer, the salon, and family room into the kitchen. Marie and Charles were sitting at the table drinking coffee. Marie jumped to her feet as soon as she saw him.
“Mister Alex! We didn’t expect you home yet. What has happened? You’re so wet.”
Dully he said, “I’m going for a shower. Can you send up a coffee and a sandwich? Then I’ll see you both tomorrow.”
They looked at each other, puzzled, as Marie answered, “Certainly, Mister Alex.”
After showering Alex still felt awful. He kept replaying the evening in his mind. He pulled on his favourite drawstring pants and left the bathroom. Marie had left a tray with a plate of assorted sandwiches and a pot of coffee for him on the table in his bedroom. He picked it up and went out onto the balcony.
He ate absentmindedly while watching the pounding surf and the falling rain. He felt as if his life, rather than the waves, were crashing down on the beach. How on earth had he managed to fuck up so easily and so badly?
Alex had no idea how long he stayed there. He actually couldn’t remember getting up and going to bed, but he must have because the next morning he woke in bed early, around five. He felt lethargic and completely at a loss. Even the thought of working on the otter plans held no interest. He rolled out of bed and walked back out onto the balcony. It had stopped raining, but threatening heavy black clouds hung in the sky.
Not bothering to change, he just pulled on a T-shirt. He had no interest in going into work. Instead, he walked outside, tramped down to the beach, sat on a dune, and looked out to the sea, waiting for the sun to rise.
* * * *
“Where’s Alex?”
“Sorry, Dan. He hasn’t come in.”
“What? It’s almost eleven. That’s weird.”
Dan went to his office and rang through to Alex’s house. Marie answered. “Hi, Marie. It’s Dan. Is Alex still there?”
“Oh, Mister Dan. He’s here. He’s sitting on the beach. I don’t know what to do.”
“What do you mean?” Dan could hear the worry in Marie’s voice.
“We don’t know what’s wrong, but something sure is. He’s been just sitting there since early this morning. Charlie saw him out there about five thirty.”
“That doesn’t sound like Alex. I’ve got to talk to him, so I’ll come over.”
“Thank you, Mister Dan.” She sounded relieved.
Dan hung up and walked downstairs puzzled. It wasn’t like workaholic Alex to stay at home. Even though he didn’t need to be at the studio each day, he always arrived and put in a full day. Dan told Lydia, the receptionist, where he would be and then went out to collect his car and drive to Alex’s.
He rang Stacy on the way and told her. She was as confused as Dan. Half an hour later, he parked his car at the side entrance to Alex’s house and walked into the kitchen. Marie greeted him, but he could see she was distressed.
“Oh thank goodness you’re here, Mister Dan. I don’t know what’s wrong. Charlie went down an hour ago and asked if he needed anything. He didn’t answer at first, but then he told him to have the day off. I’ve never seen him like this, Mister Dan. I’m very worried. Last night he came home soaking wet, and now he’d been sitting out there on the sand for so long.”
“It’s okay, Marie. I’ll talk to him.”
Dan went through the sliding glass door off the breakfast nook and out onto the veranda. He walked down the paved path to the beach. Dressed only in a pair of loose pants and T-shirt Alex sat there staring at the waves, his hands resting on his knees. Dan walked over to him.
“What’s going on, Alex?”
Alex looked up and said tonelessly, “Dan. Didn’t hear you comin
g. Hello.”
“What on earth are you doing?”
Alex had dropped his head to watch the crashing waves again “Did you know that Laysan albatrosses mate for life?” His voice was monotone.
“What the fuck?”
He nodded wisely and, in a matter-of-fact voice, said, “If they do lose their mate they actually go through a year or two of a mourning.”
Dan shook his head. This wasn’t the Alex he knew. He crouched down in front of him. “Alex, what’s wrong?”
Alex just stared out to sea for about three minutes then he sighed then put his head on his hands. “Wrong? Where do I start?”
Dan looked at his friend. His voice sounded so flat, so dull. He really looked awful. Dark rings under his eyes, he was in need of a shave, and his hair a mess, standing up every which way as if he’d ran his fingers through it. Alex tore his eyes away from the ocean as he lifted his head and looked at Dan.
“I stuffed up royally.”
“When? What’s happened?”
“Last night. I made a complete fool of myself. I was rude, arrogant, and an arsehole.”
Dan whistled. “Whew! So you acted normal around a woman. Is that all?”
“All?” He shook his head sadly. He actually sounded ashamed and embarrassed as he continued. “No, it isn’t. I actually tried to poach another man’s sub. I didn’t give a fuck about anything but myself. I was an utter prick!”
“Wow. I think you better tell me everything from the beginning, Alex. I’m kind of confused.”
Alex nodded and, in a dull voice, related everything that had happened last night from Kallie trying to slip back to her room before dinner to Pamela hitting him right through to walking through the streets in the rain.
“You were right, Dan. I’ve come a cropper and over another man’s sub no less.”
Dan got to his feet and dusted the sand off his trousers.
“Get up, old man. Let’s go inside and have a talk.”
Dan waited patiently. Alex sat there for another five minutes before finally standing up. They walked back up to the house together. A wretched-looking Alex sat down on one of the chairs in the atrium and stared down at his hands. Dan went into the kitchen.