Tyler relaxed a little. Nathan wouldn’t reveal their secrets if he’d blown it. Since it wasn’t on the schedule, he assumed they only showed truly viable candidates — the ones they wanted to impress.
“If you’ll indulge a question, I was curious about being sent to another address for tomorrow morning’s appointment. My research indicates you’re sending me to a family and couple’s counselor?”
The two men looked at each other, as if asking which would respond. Aaron answered with a smile. “Yes, that’s her primary field. However, she also works in our industry, and has the unadvertised specialty of counseling to…people like us.” He relaxed his stance and added, “One other thing, and this isn’t why you’re seeing her, but she’ll ask some questions about your lifestyle. I’m not part of the BDSM community, but she is, so I’ve asked her to handle that portion of your interview.”
“We realize,” Nathan said, “this gets into personal aspects of your life, but if you’ll be representing Drake Security, there are things we need to know. We have employees in the lifestyle; it isn’t necessarily a problem, but there are questions. Of course.”
Tyler thought fast while maintaining a pleasant facial expression. On the one hand, his job wouldn’t be in jeopardy if he were outed as a Dom. On the other hand, he wasn’t pleased they’d been able to pry so deeply into his life. Still, he really liked the people, and once he’d seen the layout of the building he appreciated how well the old school worked for their needs. Plus, the old building had style, with architectural details no one bothered to put into new construction.
“If you know I’m a Dom, I assume you’ve also been able to ascertain I’m responsible.” He gave a half smile. “I’ll answer her questions, but I can assure you I’m discreet, and I double and sometimes triple check, so there’s no doubt everything is consensual.”
The rest of the evening rolled along smoothly, but when he finally made it to the hotel he desperately wished he could call Viv to share his day, and hear how her job search was going, and, well, just to hear the sound of her voice. He missed her, but she’d been clear they’d talk again when he got back into town.
Tyler arrived at the shrink’s office a few minutes early the next morning, and was directed to sit and wait. He was pleasantly surprised when the inner door opened exactly on time, but was shocked to see the woman he’d sparred with the day before.
“Tyler, welcome. Come on in and have a seat. Would you like some bottled water?”
“Yes, thank you.” He took a few steps and hesitated; the only place to sit would place his back to the door.
“I apologize,” she said. “The seating arrangement isn’t the best for those of us trained to protect our flanks, but it situates me best to protect my patients, should it be necessary.” She held out her hand. “Please, call me Kirsten.”
Tyler shook her hand and she continued. “You saw me in action yesterday. Do you trust me to watch your six?”
Ah, another test. He tilted his head and considered the best way to answer. “Aaron obviously respects you, and I was impressed with your speed and skill.” He stepped to the sofa and sat near the left side, so he’d have a place to set his water but would still have easy access to the concealed gun at his right hip. He didn’t expect a problem in a therapist’s office, but was always uncomfortable when forced to sit with his back to the door.
However, once seated, the reflective surface of a large metal sculpture gave him a perfect view of the door. It hadn’t seemed reflective while standing, but now the surface was flawless as a mirror. He smiled as he met her eyes. “Nice touch. Thank you.”
“I didn’t do it just for you, but for everyone from Drake Security who sits before me. It’s important I create a comfortable environment.”
“But you still wanted to test me, before letting me in on the secret?”
“We’ll talk more about that later. I wanted to spar with you for a couple of reasons. Can you tell me what they were?”
“To be sure I don’t have a problem fighting women, to see if I put forth the same effort with you as I did the men, and to help me feel more comfortable talking to you about details specific to our line of work.”
“Excellent. So, you know I’ve had training, I work for one of the country’s leading security firms, and I’ve likely been in situations where I’ve had to either kill or be killed. Will this knowledge make it easier to tell me how you feel about killing people?”
Pretty direct, but she had a point. “Yeah, I guess so.”
“Excellent. How do you feel about killing people?”
Tyler didn’t want to answer. He avoided discussion of the subject whenever possible, but figured evasion wasn’t an option if he wanted a job offer, and he really liked the company, the people, and the area.
Shrugging, he answered, “Someone has to keep the bad guys from killing innocent people. It’s easy to sit back and say it’s wrong to kill, but sometimes it’s wrong to not kill. I mean, if someone’s planning to murder fifty people next week, and I can kill him this week, I’ve saved fifty people, right?”
The conversation followed a predictable path until she caught him off guard with, “I understand you’re a Dom, though it appears most in the lifestyle know you as Master James instead of Tyler. Several people who’ve seen you in action describe you as a responsible Top. I’ve learned enough and don’t really need to ask you any questions, but I want to be sure you’ll be happy here.”
Taking a breath, she smiled warmly and continued. “There are no clubs in Chattanooga, though there are private play parties in people’s homes occasionally. If you want the club scene, you’ll need to drive to Atlanta or Nashville. Will that work for you?”
“You’ve talked to people who vouched for me? How…” He shook his head. “How did you manage to learn all this?”
“Aaron and Nathan are very good. If you’re offered a position, and you accept, you’ll benefit from their skills as well. I can personally tell you they’re great to work for. It may be corny to say a business is run like family, but once you’re in…” She shrugged. “You’re treated as family, not an employee. However, my question right now has to do with whether your personal life will be satisfied living in a mid-sized city without much of a lifestyle community to pull from for relationships. Don’t get me wrong; we have a nice group of like-minded people, but when compared to large cities…”
If things didn’t work with Viv, would he want to go to a club to find someone? Eventually, perhaps, but not anytime soon. Unsure of how to answer, he just started talking and muddled through. “I’m seeing someone, but we don’t know if it’s going to work. There are…complications. Still, I’m kind of hoping she and I will find our way, and will be an item before much longer.”
“Complications? One of you leans towards twenty-four/seven and the other is an only-in-the-bedroom kinkster?”
He raised his eyebrows. “You’re a mind-reader as well?” He and Viv had only been together a short time. No way could an investigation have picked up on their relationship.
Kirsten smiled. “No, but I’ve been around the scene long enough to understand how most people categorize various scene related obstacles. If one has a specific need that’s a hard limit for the other, it’s a problem, not a complication. Your wording and emphasis gave the idea you’re mostly compatible, but one wants to be full time and the other doesn’t.”
“Yeah, I lean more towards a twenty-four/seven TPE, and she’s…not. The thing is, I think I’d be okay with not being full-time if it meant she’d be in my life. Actually, I’m sure of it. I enjoy our time together when not in power exchange; I’d miss the spunky part of her who makes decisions with ease if we were in a TPE.” He shrugged. “But this is new for me, and I’m not sure how to incorporate an on-and-off power exchange into real life when we both have demanding careers.”
“How do you transition now?”
She knew what questions to ask, which made Tyler feel comfortable answering. �
��We’ve tried it a few ways. Sometimes she just asks me permission to do something, and when I give it, we’re in our roles. Since I have a hard time ending the scene, for now it ends during aftercare, unless we’ve negotiated otherwise, which is the other way we begin — agreeing to a start and end time before the power exchange begins.”
“Both are excellent ways to handle it. If I may make a suggestion, I’m guessing since you’re used to being twenty-four/seven, and with the power those arrangements give, you’re likely pushing her into areas she hasn’t experienced. Am I correct? Power exchange in traditionally non-sexual matters?”
He ran a hand through his hair. “Yeah.”
“Those experiences can be scary, especially for a strong woman who feels as if she’s being pulled into unfamiliar territory.” Tyler started to ask how she knew Viv was strong, but Kirsten answered before he asked. “You said you both have challenging careers. I assume she’s strong willed and capable.”
Tyler nodded and she continued. “As a sub, it’s easy to catch yourself about to ask permission to do something when you aren’t in a scene. She may feel as if she’s being pulled into twenty-four/seven — may fear losing her autonomy — and may run from the relationship.”
Was this why Viv withdrew the morning before he left? But, no. He’d structured the entire night before to show he was fine with the non-submissive parts of her personality. To demonstrate he didn’t always have to be the overbearing Master.
Kirsten continued. “If you’re no longer interested in a twenty-four/seven relationship, spell it out for her. Don’t hint; don’t think you’ve shown her. You need to tell her. If she thinks you still want a full time power-exchange then in her mind she’ll be pretty sure that in five years’ time she’ll lose herself in a TPE. Many women choose to run from the relationship before the man has a chance to make it happen.”
“Sounds like you’re talking from experience.”
“Luckily, we’re here to talk about you, not me,” she said with a genuine smile.
He chuckled. She was definitely skilled at her job, as she’d helped him feel comfortable talking about things he’d never tell a stranger. “Thanks for the advice. Aaron seemed to think you’d ask specific lifestyle questions. Are you sure you have what you need from your informants?”
She uncrossed her legs and switched them. “You’d be surprised at what I’ve picked up from our conversation.”
Tyler raised his eyebrows in question and she continued. “Your idea of power exchange is only that which is consensual. Safe and sane are relative terms, but based on first-hand accounts, and from your own attitude, I’m comfortable saying you keep it very safe and mostly sane.” She paused, considering. “Actually, I have one question — if you had to differentiate between whether you’re more Dom or more Sadist, which would you say?”
“Wow. You don’t mess around, do you?” He shook his head. “A big part of submission in my world means they give me permission to hurt them, and that feeds the Sadist. I couldn’t enjoy hurting someone who wasn’t into what I was doing, though. If I had to choose then it would be Dom, because I can kind of enjoy being Dom for short periods of time without Sadism, but could never enjoy the sadistic aspects without being in a Dom/sub setting.”
“Thank you for your honesty. For the purposes of Drake Security, your sex life shouldn’t be a problem. In any event, our time is up and I have what I need. Aaron asked me to send you back to his office, and I don’t know for sure but I’m guessing he’ll make you an offer.”
Chapter Fourteen
Viv stepped off the plane into Chattanooga’s tiny airport and was met by a contingent of men in suits. It didn’t get past her that they’d met her beyond the security checkpoint, but since one of the men was introduced to her as the mayor, she didn’t ask how they’d managed it.
A limo carried the group to a restaurant with seating on the riverfront, and the men took turns talking to her about the position they needed filled.
Viv was excited to learn the local government was interested in doing all they could to keep the river clean. She was told Walter Cronkite had named Chattanooga as the dirtiest city in America back in 1969, when the air and water pollution were off-the-charts-dangerous. They’d cleaned up their act, kicked the industries creating the pollution out, and were willing to take the next step. They’d replaced the industrial base responsible for the pollution with tourism, and by inviting cleaner industries in. They weren’t afraid to spend money to stay clean, and let Viv know they wanted her to help them figure out their next steps. The city was now ranked as one of the cleanest, most forward-thinking cities in America, and they wanted to maintain the image.
“Your office will be in the Aquarium,” the mayor clarified, “but understand you’ll be reporting to the city leaders. The Aquarium may write your paychecks, but we’ll be funding your projects.”
The Aquarium President added, “You’ll have some duties during the school year to help explain your presence and paycheck from us. You’ll be the liaison with the local school systems, and will be responsible for designing and, in some cases, leading, our educational outreach programs. I trust you can hold your own with a roomful of first graders?”
“While elementary kids require different teaching techniques than college aged students, my lecture classes often had more than one hundred and fifty students and I’ve lived to tell the tail.” She smiled. “I won’t bore you by reciting my resume, as I’m certain you’ve checked my teaching qualifications as well as my research credentials.”
“You’re quite right, Ms. MacNeill. When we leave here we’ll hand you over to one of the Aquarium’s managers, who’ll give you the paying-visitor-tour of the Aquarium, followed by a behind the scenes tour, which will include a visit to the research labs and offices. We’ll meet up with you later this evening, walk across the street to the river, and take you downstream a ways in the Aquarium’s speedboat.”
By the time Viv had finished touring both Aquarium buildings she wished she’d worn more comfortable shoes.
She was glad she’d brushed up on her knowledge of snail darters and a few of the other threatened species in and around the Tennessee River, because she could tell the other employees were subtly quizzing her, to see how much she knew.
The speedboat trip was also enlightening, and she was doubly impressed with some of the promises they made her — not just for available funds, but with their ability to create and pass laws to protect the local environment. The presence of three representatives and one senator, along with a few members of the local city council, seemed to back up what they were saying.
“We’ve done a lot to clean up our city,” said one of the Representatives, “and we’ve made a bit of a name for ourselves at the state and national levels. If you can manage to create change at the local level, we can make sure you get a chance to brag about our successes in Washington.”
“We’ll provide you with the funds to do what you need,” added the Mayor, “because we intend for those funds to come back to us tenfold in tourism dollars.”
The Aquarium president returned her to the airport later that night, without the rest of their entourage. He retrieved her carry-on bag from the trunk and then shook her hand as he said, “I’m so happy you’ve agreed to come on board with us. I look forward to seeing you again in ten days. Get with my assistant about reserving a room for the night when you drive up, once you’re sure of when you’ll make the drive. I believe you’ve already given her the information she needs to have your things brought down from New Hampshire?”
“Yes, it’s all packed away in storage. She said it’d be no problem to have movers get it all out and bring it down.”
He nodded. “We can have them get you unpacked and set up before you arrive, or if you prefer we can have them deliver it after you’ve arrived so you can oversee the unpacking. You’ll have use of the condo on the river for six months, which should be enough time for you to figure out which part of town you wa
nt to settle, and either buy or rent.”
He closed the trunk and straightened his tie. “I’ll say goodbye to you here. Please contact me if you have questions I can answer, or my assistant if you need her to help you with anything at all – moving, travelling, health insurance… whatever.” He looked a bit uncomfortable as he added, “Fair warning, you’ll probably want to dress as you have today for your first week or two on the job, as you’ll be meeting a lot of the city leaders. Once we get you settled in, you’ll be more than welcome to dress as more of a researcher than a politician.”
“Thanks for the heads up.” Viv smiled. “I appreciate knowing you aren’t afraid to tell me what I need to know.”
“I’ve read your work, actually followed your research for a few years, to tell the truth. I’m ecstatic you’ll be on our team, and I’m certain you’ve chosen us over other offers because you’ll be heading things up here, and because we’re promising to fund the projects you feel are worthwhile. You’re smart enough to know you have to play the politics to get what you want, and you’ll know that not everyone will share your agenda. I’m on your side, and I’ll do what I can to help you navigate until you figure out the landscape.”
* * * *
Viv called Tyler on the way home from the airport, but the call went straight to his voice mail. He was supposed to have arrived home the night before, so she tried her brother’s phone, assuming they’d be together.
“His last interview turned into a two-day deal, and then he was invited to Atlanta for another interview tomorrow morning. I have an email letting me know when he lands, I’ll forward it to you when we get off the phone, but I think he’s supposed to be in sometime around 1:00 tomorrow afternoon. How’d your interview go?”
“Looks like I’ll be moving to Chattanooga. I’ll leave in about five or six days so I have a chance to get settled in. My first day on the job is only ten days away.” She told him all about the people she’d met, and when she talked about the Senator she was surprised to learn her brother knew him.
Safeword: Rainbow (2013 extended edition) (Safeword Series) Page 19