by S. J. Maylee
“He's here.” Anne came running into the locker room.
“She just told her father she wasn’t coming home.” Lydia bear hugged Janna.
“Wahoo!” Anne wrapped her arms around her, too.
“Thank you.” Janna pulled back. “I love knowing you’re here for me.”
Mistress Charlie walked into the locker room, and the air shifted with the sharp sting of nerves. If Janna had thought her first visit to the club had been important, it didn’t even compare to the weight of tonight. That first night, Simon proved to her she was submissive. Tonight, she wanted to be taken as his submissive.
Once Mistress Charlie lined up all the trainees, Lydia and Anne wished her well and assured her they'd be there if she needed them. There were three others in the line-up, two more women and one man. Mistress Charlie reviewed their safe words and set their boundaries for the evening. None of them were to leave the club floor without talking with her first.
Janna kept her head down as they walked into the club. Once Mistress Charlie checked their positions, she signaled to the DJ, who quieted the music. Janna's heart beat erratically. She lifted her gaze just enough to search for her friends.
She found Lydia first. She was sitting at Jake's feet not far away. Anne stood next to her, and they both looked relaxed, no worry twins tonight. Janna took it as a sign and took a deep, cleansing breath.
Mistress Charlie stepped forward. “Good evening, Club Voyage. Tonight we have four willing submissives. It's my honor to first offer this fine young woman.” She stepped close enough that Janna could see her boot clad feet. “Who claims this sub?”
She strained to hear past the shuffling of feet to her right and a couple that whispered to her left. Maybe Simon wasn’t willing to risk anything more for her. Long seconds ticked by, easily counted by the pounding of her heart.
“Simon!” Charlie shouted in a quick, “stop messing around” tone.
Janna wanted to kiss the woman for her sharp tongue. Where the hell was he?
A bar stool skidded on the floor, and then she heard the crowd shift and Simon’s large feet came into view.
“You're here?” Simon lifted her chin, and his gaze roamed over her.
“Not even my father could keep me from you.”
“I was hoping you'd say that.”
“I'm sure we haven't heard the last from him.” She searched his expression.
“You're no match for your father.” He reached out and caressed her cheek. “But you're my match. My strong and beautiful Janna. You're a fighter, and it will be an honor to stand with you, my pet.”
“Oh, Simon.” She leaned into his caress. “In my heart, I've been yours since that first time you called me pet. You changed my life that first night.” She looked at him directly. “I'm not afraid of my father anymore, not really. I have been afraid of losing my heart, though. It's firmly here with you.”
“And mine is with you.” He pressed his hand over her heart. “I left it with you this morning.” He picked up her hand and pressed it over his heart. “Thank you for bringing it back to me.”
Mistress Charlie cleared her throat. “You will claim responsibility for her training?”
A wicked smile spread over Simon's face. He took a step to her side, took her hand, and guided her down on her knees.
“Thank you, Mistress Charlie.” He turned to the gathering crowd. “Yes, I claim Janna as my submissive. I take responsibility for her training.” He got down on bended knee. “She belongs to me, and my heart is hers, if she wants it.”
“Oh, I want it.” With a gentle kiss, she freely gave him her heart.
She felt sorry for her father. No guilt or tricks were needed. He’d probably never know the power of love. Once Janna let her soul open to what she needed, it took her in a direct path for acceptance and a safe place for love to grow.
She set herself free from the ties that held her bound, and she knew it was just one of the reasons why Simon was falling in love with her. She loved him for letting her work through it.
He listened and guided her heart, and she helped him to heal. Together they were a formidable team. Together they had the courage to open their hearts, and now they'd share their love.
Epilogue
One week later
“I’m so proud of you, Janna.”
“Thanks, Mom.” She hadn’t spoken to her father in a week, but her mother was calling her daily. “You’re sure Dad had nothing to do with us getting the funding back?”
“I’m positive, Honey. Every time I try and share how you’re doing, he tells me he doesn’t want to hear it, and he won’t lift a finger to help. He has no idea you don’t need his help.”
“It must have been Gina then. I’m surprised though.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know her well, but I wasn’t expecting her to pull through on her assignment. She doesn’t seem to be the type to lift a finger either.”
“I guess you really don’t know her then.”
Simon stepped into her office, closed the door, and tapped his watch.
“You must be right. Sorry to cut our talk short, but I need to get to our project launch party.” She walked over to him, grabbed hold of his lapel and pulled him towards her.
“I wish I could be there to help you celebrate.”
“Let’s plan a visit.”
“I’d like that. I need to meet Simon anyways. Have fun, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Bye.”
“Bye, Mom.” She tossed her phone onto her guest chair and wrapped her arms around her Dom. “Are we late?”
“Yep.” He kissed his way from her ear down to her shoulder and grabbed her ass.
“Master Simon, am I going to have to spank you for making us late?” She ran her fingers through his hair and arched into him.
“I’d like to see you try.” He tickled down her sides and pinched her ass.
“Oh! You’re terrible.” She shook her head at him. “Do you think my father will ever come around?”
“I don’t know. Do you need him to?”
“No. I want him to though.” She played with the top button on his shirt. “I should thank you for walking away from me that first night.”
“Why is that?” His hands roamed over her back side.
“It put me in a position to choose. It was scary, but empowering.” She pressed her lips to his, lingering close. “You give me what I need.”
The End
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Other Books by S.J. Maylee:
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Evernight Publishing
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