Slave To Love

by Bridget Midway

He rang the doorbell and made them wait. “Civilized people don’t walk into strangers’ homes.”

  “But they’re my parents. I always do it.” She reached for the knob again.

  Rock arrested her hand. “Alone. You do that when you’re by yourself. Not with me.”

  Connie answered the door. “Hello.” She split her attention between Taren and Master Rock. “Come on in. The camera crew has been here for a few minutes.”

  Rock allowed Taren to walk in first.

  “Mom, Dad, this is Master Rock.” Taren pointed to her parents.

  Rock stepped forward and took Connie’s hand. “Pleasure to meet you.” He approached Del. “Nice meeting you.” He pointed to his face. “Sorry about this. I think it’s ridiculous for this show, but they require it.”

  “Unfortunately, we’re starting to get used to it around here.” Del led the group to the dining room. “We’re having roasted chicken tonight. Hope that works for you.”

  “I’m all about home cooking.” Rock smiled. “Meatloaf is my favorite.”

  Connie’s face lit up. “That’s one of my specialties.”

  “Ah, so that’s where Taren learned it. She made me meatloaf. It was wonderful.” Rock tapped Taren on her cheek.

  “Yep, he asked for that for dinner just like he asked me to wear this tonight.” Taren smoothed her hands over the garment.

  “I actually think you look pretty nice tonight. You look like a lady.” Connie beamed. “I’ll go get dinner.”

  “Taren, why don’t you help your mother?” Rock nodded his head back toward the kitchen.

  “Fine.” She stood and went into the kitchen after her mother. She picked up a basket of rolls and the rice.

  “I kind of like this one.” Connie smiled as she picked up the chicken. “He’s polite. He’s gentlemanly. He treats you like a lady. It’s nice to see a man want to see his woman covered up and not showing all of her goodies.”

  “Even though this is not like me?” Taren could hardly believe her mother liked this guy when they gave Jace such a hard time.

  “This is you. I used to put you in dresses like this all the time.”

  “When I was three. I’m grown up now.” Taren went back out to the dining room with her food. She nearly dropped the dishes she held when she heard her father laughing along with Master Rock.

  “Care to let me in on the joke?” Taren sat down. Her dress pulled to the side so she had to adjust it under her body.

  “Rock and I were talking about this funeral home thing of yours.” Del chuckled.

  “You mean my dream?” Taren balled her hands into fists.

  “Your whim. In a few weeks, you’ll be on to something else.” Del gave her a dismissive wave. “Besides, Rock here had a great idea.”

  “Rock? So now you’re on a first name basis or something?” Taren should have been happy that her parents liked someone who could be her Dom. Something felt off.

  “I’m not going to call him Master like that other dude.” Del shook his head. “Anyway, Rock here owns a trash collection company. He said that you can work for him in the accounting department.”

  Taren blinked, then looked at her father and Master Rock. “That’s nice, but that’s not what I want to do.”

  “What you want to do doesn’t make sense for you.” Rock scooped out food for himself then served Taren. He passed the bowl by her to hand it to her father. “Come work for me. I’ll take care of you.” He held her hand, the first human touch he’d given her all night. He held her arm up in the air. “Doesn’t she look great tonight? Classy.”

  Taren pulled her arm down. “I think I look a little crazy.”

  “It’s just for the show. Just like he has to wear a mask.” Del pointed to Rock with his fork. “When all of this is over, you can get back to a normal life.”

  “Wearing dresses and heels to cook and clean.” Taren felt her face getting hot.

  “What did you and that guy say last night? Safe, sane, and consensual. You’re okay with this, right?”

  Okay with a Dom dressing her up like a doll and refusing to help her with her dreams. She glanced at him.

  “Eat up. The food is delicious.” Rock smiled as he took another bite.

  Taren had to show her parents what she would be doing. She got out of her chair and kneeled on the floor next to Master Rock.

  “What in the world are you doing?” Connie put her hand to her chest.

  “For one of the meals we had, Master Rock wanted me like this.” She looked at him, but he did not look amused.

  “Get up and get back in your chair. What we do is meant for home. This is a vanilla environment. We don’t do that here.” Rock shook his head.

  Taren crawled back into her seat.

  “I apologize for her.” Rock wiped his mouth. “I did not ask her to do that here. I know this lifestyle and the idea of it, especially with your daughter, must be hard to fathom. I do things that you would probably question. But I do it because it’s something we both like. Just because we like it doesn’t mean you will.” He glared at Taren like he’d planned on punishing her later. “Your parents made us a nice meal. Let’s enjoy it and the conversation.”

  Del raised his glass to Rock. “I may not like what you do, but I like the way you think.”

  Taren started to question if she did. Getting him around her parents allowed the real side of him to come out. Now she had to decide if she wanted someone who hid everything from her or a man who wanted her to change.

  After dinner, Taren and Master Rock went back to the house. The car ride started off silent. Taren didn’t need to hear anything else Rock had to say. That didn’t stop him from lecturing her.

  “I don’t know what you were trying to pul back there, but I didn’t appreciate it.” He adjusted his tie.

  Taren kept her gaze directed out the window.

  “I like you because you’re so fresh and new to all this.” He reached out and held her hand.

  The touch shocked her. Taren gasped and attempted to pull her hand back. Rock kept a tight hold.

  “I could be what you need in your life to give you direction.”

  Taren blinked at his statement. The one thing she’d told Ananda at their first meeting that she’d lacked in her life, this man now offered. Taren never imagined that freedom would look so stifling.

  When they got to the house, Taren jumped out of the car on her side. She didn’t wait for Rock.

  She went upstairs to her room. Tomorrow she would have to announce a winner. When she opened the door to her bedroom, she almost screamed.

  “Ananda? What are you doing here?” Taren went closer to her like the woman had to be a mirage.

  “Taren, have a seat. We need to talk.”

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Jace dressed in a tuxedo that the show picked out for him. He’d been on pins and needles about this day. He’d gone from being a man who didn’t want this show to exist at all and didn’t see it working, to one where he saw himself with the ultimate prize.

  “Time to line up.” Soneni waved at Jace to come out to the living room area.

  Jace sauntered out. Everything looked bright and clean. It all sparkled. Or maybe he saw it that way because of his excitement. Master Rock stood next to him.

  “Good luck, man.” Rock shook Jace’s hand. “I know I wasn’t here for most of this but it’s been a hell of a journey.”

  Rock had that right. Jace wanted one more night with Taren. When he went to the backyard last night, guards protected the stairs going to his office.

  Decked in an all red leather dress with matching hat, Madame Macabre sauntered out to the living room. “We all ready?”

  “Just need the sub.” Kitty looked around. “Where is Taren?”

  The hair, makeup, and wardrobe people came out of the bedroom. “She’s ready,” one of them said.

  “Great. We’ll film her coming down the stairs.” Kitty had the camera aimed at the bedroom door.

  After
a pause, Taren appeared in the doorway. She wore a gold sequined dress that hugged her curves. She came down the stairs but seemed to be stomping down them instead of her normal glide. She stood next to Macabre but kept her head down.

  Jace didn’t like this. He didn’t like seeing Taren look upset. Had she been that torn about her decision?

  “Good evening. Tonight is the finale for Slave to Love. Taren, you’ve really have been through it.” Macabre put her hand on Taren’s shoulder. “You had to whittle your contestants down from sixteen to eight. You were put through some pretty harsh challenges. I think you uttered a safe word or two. Anything you want to say before you announce your big decision tonight?”

  Taren raised her head. Her eyes looked red, but not from tears. She appeared angry. Jace tilted his head and wondered what bothered her.

  “Yes, I want to say something. Five years ago, I watched this amazing show that was absolutely groundbreaking. No one had ever seen a show where a Dominant looked for his submissive through a reality TV show. It’s unheard of.”

  Macabre smiled and nodded.

  Taren continued. “Back then when they were casting the show, I wanted to be on it. At the time, though, I was too young. Imagine my surprise when five years later, the winner of that show decides to do another show where this time a submissive finds her Dom or Domme.” She put her hand to her chest. “I’m not in the lifestyle, but I was open. I wanted to be that woman who gets her happily ever after.” She chuckled. “Remember that Dom on Love My Way?”

  “Eagan Morton, the movie producer,” Macabre said.

  “That’s him. Mmm, so good looking. That Begonia is a lucky woman.” Taren nodded. “I wanted her life. I probably could have it, couldn’t I, Master?”

  Jace heard his heart beat pumping in his head.

  “What are you talking about, Taren?” Macabre looked at Kitty, who only shrugged.

  “Take off your mask.” Taren glared at Jace.

  “Are you declaring me the winner?” Jace would fight this until the end.

  Taren laughed. “Are you kidding me? Can you imagine if I picked Eagan Morton’s brother to win this show?”

  “What?” Rock stared at Jace. “You’re Eagan’s brother?”

  Jace ignored him and moved closer to Taren. “Let me explain.”

  She shook her head. “All the times we shared together, you had plenty of time to tell me that you are Ananda’s brother-in-law and Eagan’s brother. Why would you keep that from me after everything I shared with you?”

  “You don’t understand. I wanted to tell you.”

  Taren stormed up to him and pulled off his mask. “Tell it to the goddamn world now. Christian Jace Morton is a fucking liar and cannot be trusted. You tried to set me up. You asked Vern to get the hardest Doms and Dommes out there.”

  “Jesus.” Kitty bowed her head.

  “For what? Your problems with your brother? What does that have to do with me?” Taren put her hands to her hips.

  “Nothing. You’re right.” Jace tried to touch her, but she swatted his hand away and moved back.

  “I don’t want to be right. I want to be made whole. I want my man.” She looked at both Jace and Rock. “I don’t want either of you.” She turned to the crew behind her. “I’m sorry, Ananda.”

  Jace moved closer to the group and saw Ananda sauntering forward. He had no idea she would be home, which meant that Eagan would be home as well.

  “This could have been an awesome show and a great experience for me.” Taren took in a deep breath like she tried to hold back tears. “Thanks for making this the worst experience of my life.” She went up to Jace and poked him in his chest with her finger. “I hate you.”

  Jace dropped the mask, pulled her in close, and kissed her. For a split second, he felt her body go limp. Then she stiffened up and pushed him away.

  “No! No more.” She covered her mouth.

  “I love you.” Jace dropped all of his defenses.

  “That’s a shame. You know you shouldn’t expect to fall in love in these types of relationships.” She turned and walked out the door.

  Not content with letting it end like that, Jace chased after her only to get stopped at the doorway by Eagan.

  “Cool your jets. Let’s talk.” Eagan held Jace’s shoulders and pushed him back into the house.

  Master Rock removed his mask, showing Jace what he already knew. Rocco Silva had been in the lifestyle for a long time.

  “How the hell did I not know you were Eagan’s brother?” Rock glared at Jace as Eagan pulled him away.

  Jace didn’t answer. He knew he would have a lot more to answer to with Ananda and Eagan. Eagan pushed Jace up the stairs to the master bedroom. He slammed the door behind him and Ananda.

  “What the hell were you thinking?” Eagan looked down at Jace like he scolded a teenager.

  “I admit I made some mistakes.” Jace removed his jacket. When it fell on the bed, Taren’s scent wafted in the air. He already missed her.

  “Made some mistakes? You ruined me.” Ananda paced. “I asked you for two things: access to your home and for you not to fuck the talent. You made good on one promise.”

  “It’s not what you think. I was supposed to be gone for over a month. I thought I had secured a good business deal early so I came home. I was going to stay in the guesthouse. I swear. I didn’t think anyone was here and I saw Taren in the kitchen. She’s amazing. I swore I would stay away from her, but she has this personality. You’re just drawn to her.” Jace ruined that relationship.

  “So much so that you had to sleep with her.” Ananda crossed her arms over her chest.

  “That was a mistake. I took her to Club 4400 and she liked what she saw. When I brought her back here, things got out of hand. I never meant to meet her or for things to go that far. When one of the Doms backed out, Vern asked me to join the show as an extra body. I didn’t think she would pick me.” Jace had to at least get his family on his side.

  “You could have said no.” Ananda stomped her foot.

  “And you could have filmed this at your house.”

  “Don’t talk to my wife like that.” Eagan stood in between Jace and Ananda.

  “And don’t get all preachy to me.” Jace stood. “All you had to do was answer your fucking phone once in a while. Every time I call you, you never answer. Ever. I invite you to an awards ceremony and you bail on me. So, yeah, I got pissed and I did what I could to fuck up the show, that included getting the roughest Dominants. I didn’t see the show working.” He looked at Ananda. “It did. I fucked it up. I’m admitting it. But understand the reason. I was mad because I felt you all pushing me out of your lives.”

  Eagan went up to Jace and shoved him with both hands. “Asshole. This show was important to Ananda. It was her baby.” He stopped and looked at his wife. “Shit.” He shook his head and took her hand. “Let’s go. We’re done here.”

  “Of course. Walk away like you always do.” Jace swiped his hand down his face. He thought losing Taren hurt his heart. Hearing Eagan be disappointed with him again crushed him.

  “No, Eagan. Wait.” Ananda pulled on Eagan’s arm. “We should all talk about this. You’re brothers. You should be there for one another.”

  “I understand why this is important to you.” Eagan kissed Ananda. “You keep giving him chances, and he keeps messing up.” Eagan pulled her close to him and wrapped his arm around her waist. “I don’t want to see you hurt or disappointed again. We can talk about this in the morning.” He glanced out the door. “I can help save this show. It’s not a total loss.”

  Jace heard Ananda sniffle before she buried her face in her husband’s chest.

  Eagan glared at Jace. Jace hadn’t seen that look in years, not since he had issues with substance abuse. The same bone-chilling feeling fell over him as he watched his family walk away.

  He didn’t need them. If they wanted to leave him, he would be fine with that. He had been for most of his adult life. He would learn t
o cope again.

  Out of habit, Jace put his hand to his pants pocket looking for an old friend. Shit, he needed a cigarette. He needed something. He needed Taren.

  He slumped down on the bed. He would have to learn to push Taren out of his thoughts and get his concentration back on work. Easier said than done.

  ****

  Lies. Lies. Everything Jace had told Taren had been nothing but fiction. She couldn’t believe when Ananda had shown up in her room to talk to her. What Ananda had shared had her shaking. She still couldn’t discern which item bothered her the most: the fact that he’d kept secret about being Eagan’s brother or how he’d tried to sabotage the show.

  Ananda had offered to Taren to skip the final show and go to the hotel. As far as she knew, Jace had no idea where she lived. She wanted to go home and stew for a bit before resuming normal life. Before she did that, she needed to tell Jace off and let him know how much he’d hurt her. She’d done well with her argument until he kissed her.

  Damn that man. She knew he felt her melting in his arms. Then she remembered the stories. She recalled the lies. This man didn’t respect her. She pushed him away and hoped to get him out of her life forever. No way could a man really love her and do that to her.

  Taren arrived at her apartment by car service. The driver helped her with her bags before leaving her. In the quiet of her home, she attempted to resume her normal life. She flipped through her mail, checked on her plants that her mother had promised to water while she filmed the show, and finally checked her emails. Being away from all types of media, including her phone, felt like she had been propelled back to the Stone Age. When her phone rang, Taren almost didn’t answer it. Considering she hadn’t been near a phone in weeks, she decided she could insert her life back to the mainstream again with this one call. Plus she looked at the phone screen and saw who called her.

  “Hey, Mom.” Taren held the phone against her ear with her shoulder to remove her shoes. It would be good to walk around her home barefooted again. She tossed her heels in her closet.

  “Taren, You sound good. How are you doing?” Connie’s words came out long and languid, nothing like the high-spirited Connie she knew.