by Dakota Trace
She was puzzled. Her need to submit had nothing to do with their agreement. “Why should I? I agreed to be his model for the demonstration. Nothing more.”
He gave a sigh. “Somehow I don’t think he sees it in the same light.”
She frowned. “What do you mean? Our agreement was quite clear. I was his during a scene, but outside of it we’re equals.”
“We can’t talk about this here.” Davis caught Kaleb’s eye briefly, when he glanced up from the consent form he was reviewing for a slender redhead. “I’ll be back in a few, Kaleb.”
Kaleb nodded before going back to the paperwork. Davis walked her down the main aisle before ducking into a smaller interior hall leading to a room housing the club’s security monitors. At the helm, watching various screens, was a redheaded man dressed in jeans and the tightest t-shirt she’d ever seen. “Toby, I need the office for a few minutes. Could you go help Kaleb at the door for awhile?”
“Sure thing, cousin.” He slowly uncoiled his body from the small chair. Standing, he was nearly as tall as Davis but not quite as wide. This man was actually Davis’s cousin? Dear Lord what were the women in Davis’s family feeding their kids? Steroid injected meals?
As the man sauntered out, she stared after him. “Your cousin?”
“Yeah, gotta claim him, or so my momma tells me. But that’s not why we’re here.” He pulled out one of the folding chairs, urging her to sit.
“It’s not?” She sank onto the cold metal, shivering as she felt the coolness seep through her leggings.
“No. We’re here because I’m going to be a nice guy, and try keep you from getting your ass paddled tonight.” He crouched down in front of her.
Cocking her head, she sighed. “I haven’t done anything warranting a punishment.”
“Not yet, but if you go in there and find a man to submit to, Ethan isn’t going to see it that way.”
Anger built inside her. “I am not his property, nor is our situation anything but temporary. He promised we’d be equals outside our practices and the demonstration.”
“Be that as it may, I’m sure he mentioned to you his own code of personal conduct.”
She stared at him blankly. Ethan hadn’t come out and told her anything about a code of conduct outside of their scenes. “I don’t believe so.”
Davis made an exasperated sound in his throat. “Okay let’s try it from this angle. Has Ethan mentioned to you while you’re together there are no other submissives for him?”
She nodded. “But that’s just during our practices…and even if he chooses to see another while we’re not training, I have no say in that.”
He groaned. “But that’s just it, Sabella. When he says there are no others for him - there aren’t, period. In or out of a scene you’re it at the moment. And he expects the same from you as he does from himself.”
“Rest assured I will hold myself to the same standards as you do.”
The words rang through her mind. Horror filled her as she realized exactly what Davis was implying. By asking for his word, she’d allowed Ethan maneuver her into a position which he could expect the same ideals from her as he did himself. “But I never agreed…he can’t expect…” Her weak protest had Davis giving her a sad smile.
“Whether you did or didn’t or whether he can or can’t, we have quite the problem here, especially if he catches you offering to another what he considers his, however temporarily. And, until we can clear this up with him, you’re risking be treated like you are.” He slowly stood. “With all perks and the downfalls.”
“Crap.” Her head began pounding, part of her wanted to tell Davis to piss off. She wasn’t his nor Ethan’s property and she could choose whatever Dom she wanted to serve, but the other part was leery of what Ethan would do. And how I’ll respond to it. He so much as brings a paddle out, I’ll be a goner. While not into pain, there was something about being pinned over a man’s lap and forced to accept his judgment that pushed her buttons. It’s better to not chance it. She sighed. “So what are you suggesting, Davis… I throw myself at his feet?”
“Well, I’m sure he’d probably enjoy that, but I have something else in mind. You need to serve, to feel like you’re pleasing another? Why not work for the club tonight? I can ‘hire’ you temporarily as a house submissive. It’ll fill your need, but still keep Ethan from going nutso when he realizes you’re here tonight.”
“And what exactly would I do as a house submissive?” She nibbled on her lower lip, thinking of all the sexual ways a house submissive could end up being used. Her nipples tightened, but she pushed the thought away as Davis began to explain.
“Your job would be to make the Doms present comfortable. Taking their coats, fetching their drinks, perhaps giving a shoulder rub or two. Usually we assign our house submissives by sections.” He grabbed a clipboard off the wall. “It looks like we’re short a house submissive in the massage section. How does shoulder rubs, foot rubs and hand rubs sound? There’s nothing sexual at all in the massage area, but it’ll still cover your need to serve.”
Chewing on her lower lip, she debated. Even after working with her hands all day, the idea of having a Dom demand she ease his tension with a neck rub, or even a foot rub sent a surge of warmth through her. It wasn’t perfect but it would give her some release. Meeting Davis’s eyes she nodded. “Why not?”
* * * *
“Damn, your fingers feel like magic, Sabella.”
Ethan paused at the sound of her name, as he skirted the massage area at the back of the club. In a converted grape pressing room, there were several benches and tables set up for fifteen to thirty minute massages. Sitting on one of the far benches, a young leather clad Dom tipped his head back, as slender fingers belonging to his submissive kneaded the taunt muscles of the Dom’s shoulders.
Anger coursed through him at the sight. He’d been out of sorts earlier in the day when he hadn’t been able to get a hold of Sabella, but he’d never expected to see her inside of his club, wearing soft leggings and a white poet’s shirt which was cinched by the club’s belly chain. The bright emerald tokens dangling from the silver chain assured him, along with everyone else familiar with the club’s hierarchy, that she was merely a service sub - in this case, one who doled out massages but nothing else. It was the only thing saving her luscious little ass too. If she hadn’t been wearing it, she’d have earned one helluva a punishment, and the mood he was in he’d have relished warming her bottom. His trip to Los Angeles had lasted much longer than he’d anticipated, so his week back at home had been a nightmare as Dolly had to reschedule the majority of his appointments. In fact, he’d been late coming to the club tonight because his session with Louis Vayarti had run over.
“Thank you, Sir.” Her soft reply barely reached his ears, but still managed to send a tingle of desire though him. Her voice had the same sultry tone to it as it had when they had been in his practice room. Moving closer to the bench, he was ready to announce his presence to the would-be Dom to let him know Sabella was off limits, when his ear piece buzzed.
“Ethan, what’s your location?” Davis’s question had him stopping.
Thumbing the receiver in his pocket he softly answered his partner. “In the massage area.”
“Good, we have an issue in the bondage area, the DM in there just gave the signal for removal and you’re closer than Kaleb who’s upstairs in the whipping room.”
“Copy that.” He wanted to curse. Torn between on making a claim on Sabella and the demands of the club, he strode from the room. “I’m on my way.”
“Thanks.” There was a clatter in the background. “When you get the particulars let me know. DM said infraction was ban worthy.”
A low growl built in Ethan’s throat. There were few things that were honestly ban-worthy at New Beginnings. The Dom had either ignored the subs safeword or had ignored the instructions of the DM. And heaven help the fool if he did either of them.
“Will do, and then you and I are goin
g to have a discussion about putting Sabella to work…”
Chapter Thirteen
Sabella gave a sigh of relief as Ethan left the room quickly. For a split second there she’d thought he was going to come over and cause a scene. While she wasn’t doing anything more than giving the requested shoulder rub to the man, he’d definitely made more than one insinuation of how he’d like to take her home so she could massage more than his shoulders. Each time she’d politely declined, stating the club policy as Davis had suggested when dealing with overzealous Doms.
“Are you sure you don’t want to be mine, Bella?” Eric Malova groaned as she found a particularly hard knot. “Your fingers are pure magic,” he repeated, his head tipping forward. She suppressed a smile as she worked, attempting to release the knot. It felt wonderful to be providing pleasure to another, even if it was just the relief of easing tense shoulders. She never asked herself why she found pleasure in such acts, but merely accepted it as it was.
“No, Master Erik. I’m flattered but I’m not…”
“…free.” Davis entered the room. His face was dark. “We need to get you out of here quick, Bella, before Ethan comes back.” He stopped next to her, placing his hands on her shoulders. “In fact, it may be best if you go home, sweetheart.” He sighed. “I wasn’t expecting him to be this high strung tonight, or I’d have never offered you a job as a house sub. I should’ve expected it considering how hectic his life has been this past week.”
Looking up at him, she wanted to kick him in the shins. She’d serviced men for the past two hours and now he wanted to pull her out after she was finally on the verge of being balanced once more? The urge to stomp her feet, scream and throw an utter tantrum was hard to resist. “Let me get this straight. You want me to leave…now?”
He nodded. “I think it’d be best. Unless you’re honestly looking for a punishment...” He paused, his eyes darted away as he listened intently, then he touched the earpiece, which she just finally noticed in his ear. “Does he require medical care?” He closed his eyes. “Dammit. Good, I’m getting ready to head to the front of the house. I’ll meet them. Who the hell let her back in? I thought we’d banned her after the last time she fought with one of the DMs about him stopping her scene?”
Sabella was jerked away from Davis’s one-sided conversation by Erik.
“So you belong to Ethan?” Erik seemed slightly intrigued by the prospect.
“Not really…but it’s…complicated.” She sighed, what little ease she’d gotten now gone in the face of being booted out of the club. It not only irritated her to no end that Ethan actually thought she wouldn’t play with another during their training, but her ire built at the idea he thought he had the right to punish her.
“Well, if you get it figured out and it’s true, please let him know I’d like to be in consideration for your next Dom.” Erik gave a flashy smile before standing. He moved to leave when Davis grabbed his arm.
“She’ll do no such thing, Master Erik. You know the rules. You aren’t allowed to approach a subbie with an offer. If you want to be considered, you have to go to Master Ethan. It’s only proper.”
Erik’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, before he finally gritted out a “Fine.” Jerking his arm free, he stalked from the room.
“What exactly is he talking about, Davis? Does Ethan honestly pick out his submissive’s next Master when he tires of them?” Even as she uttered the words, she had a hard time believing them. As a submissive, she’d always picked her own Doms, and when they parted, they never lined up one of their friends to take her like last year’s castoffs. It was the way she liked it, because even if she wasn’t always the best of judge of character, when it blew up or fizzled out, she had no one to blame but herself. She’d never give over that kind of control to a Dom. She knew what was best for her.
“Damn it.” He dragged a hand through his short dark hair, his shoulders slumping. “Come on. I’ll explain as I walk you to your car.”
Walk me to my car! I don’t think so! Furious, she dug her feet in, both literally and figuratively, when he took her by the arm. “No, you’ll explain this to me now, Davis. What exactly have I gotten into? What did you and Lauren not tell me when you decided to con me into helping your friend?”
Scowling, Davis planted his hands on his hips. “I’m not going to even give your insinuation credit, Ms. Johnston. We didn’t con you into anything. You entered an agreement with Ethan of your own free will and volition. If you don’t like the terms now, then you have no one to blame but yourself for them.”
Gritting her teeth, she wanted to shout, to bean him with the nearest blunt object. “I agreed to do a demonstration, where during it and our practices, I’d treat him as my Dom, but outside of it I was to be as I am now…”
“...a shrew who is airing my partner’s private matters at his place of business…” Davis’s eyes were frosty, as another Dom and his submissive paused in the open doorway to the massage room.
Narrowing her eyes and ignoring the couple, she stepped up to him, nose to…chest and poked him with her finger. “I am not a shrew! I’m one of the most even-tempered and loving persons around. I don’t deserve to be pushed around, told what I can and cannot do, when I’m not in a D/s relationship with any man. I deserve…”
“…a punishment, which you are coming perilously close to receiving, Sabella.”
Like the Red Sea parting for Moses, the couple separated and Ethan stepped into the room. A set of red scratches on his cheek had her anger towards him and the situation dying. She wanted to tend to him, despite the situation she found herself in. She had to push down the need, to remember why she’d been so furious. Because of this man, she was getting kicked out of the club. She could go to another club, but for some reason she felt more at home here the last two hours, than she’d felt at Louis’s club in New York; or even the club she’d frequented for nearly three years before Lewis.
“Sir.” She laced as much contempt as possible into the word. “There’s obviously been some miscommunication between us.”
Without breaking eye contact with her, he stepped around Davis. “Davis, can you please see to Zebadiah? Kaleb’s already waiting with Allison for the police. Evidently Zeb would like to press charges this time.” His tone implied it hadn’t been the first time it had happened.
“Well, let’s pray he doesn’t drop them this time.” Davis left the room, shutting the door behind him, effectively trapping her with Ethan. The click of the lock sent fear coursing through her. Why had Davis locked them in together?
“Wait!” She held up a hand as Ethan moved closer.
The look of dominating need on his face should’ve warned her. “The only way I’m not touching you, Sabella, is if you safeword. Are you safewording?”
“But we’re not in a scene….” She protested.
He glanced around the room. “We’re in my BDSM club, in a room by ourselves where you just spent the last few hours pleasing other Doms. Not to mention, you just called me Sir. I do believe, combining these facts, I’m justified in my reasoning.” His eyes darkened to a deep green. “You wish for attention, Sabella, and by all means I shall give it to you.” He closed the distance between them and brushed a finger over her bare neck. “Now present.”
It was all Sabella could do to keep from moaning. The sheer dominance he’d placed in two little words had her trembling. More than anything else she wanted to do as he said, but logic and more than a bit of stubbornness had her refusing. “No.”
His eyes narrowed. “Are you refusing? Do you honestly want a spanking, Sabella? I assure you it won’t be the erotic type you seemed to be looking for.”
She wasn’t looking for anything from him! Her earlier fury had returned two-fold. She was so mad she wanted to scream and she did something she hadn’t done in a long time if ever. She totally lost it and chewed out a Dom. “I’m not looking for any kind of flipping spanking, Sir! I came here to blow off the steam from dealing with not
only a difficult father and two pranking teens, but also a Dom who’s canceled not one, but two appointments! If I wanted to see you - deal with you, I’d have called you back earlier this afternoon…instead of ignoring the call and taking my best friend up on her offer to join her in Subbie night out!”
“Are you quite done?” He gazed steadily at her, and horror, in the light of his calmness, consumed her. Had she actually just screamed at him? She always respected her Dom, always. She was sooo screwed.
“I…” She looked around the room frantically, praying there was no one else who had witnessed her stupidity. She had just made her situation worse, way worse than it had been when he’d first stepped into the room. Davis had warned her, had tried to get her out of the club until Ethan was more at an even keel than he currently was. But like a prideful sub, she’d ignored his warning, sure she wasn’t doing anything wrong - that she was in the right. “…ah…” She fumbled, not sure if begging his forgiveness would help or make things worse.
“Spit it out, Sabella. It’s a simple yes or no answer. Are you done spewing at me like a fish wife or not?”
“Yes, Sir,” she mumbled, hanging her head.
“I said present, not hide.” His tone was still harsh.
She immediately assumed the requested position with ease. Standing with her legs slightly parted, she kept her chin level to the ground while clasping her hands behind her and lowering her eyes submissively. Perhaps if she pleased him in this, he wouldn’t go as hard on her.
“Now, even as much as I want to bend you over the nearest spanking bench and warm your ass, Sabella, I’m a firm believer in never striking a submissive when angry. As such is my current situation, I’m going to send Kaleb, one of my DMs, back here to escort you to my private playroom, while I help Master Davis deal with the mess currently happening at the front door. During the time I’m gone, you need to think about what you did wrong.”
“Yes, Sir.” She breathed a sigh of relief. She was merely being sent away to think. It was like her dad sending her to room as a child. She…