by Ellie Norton
At the first sight of that familiar face in the crowd, Emma reached down and gripped my hand. Kristen's mouth broke into a huge grin when she saw us. She launched herself into Emma's arms, nearly knocking her coffee out of her hand. Emma released my hand to wrap it around Kristen.
"Oh my, God, Em! I've missed you so much!" Kristen squealed.
"I've missed you too, Kristen," Em said, her voice thick with tears.
I smiled at seeing their reunion. They'd always had a close bond and I was happy to see them together again. Then Kristen turned to me and pulled me into a bear hug. "I'm so glad to see you, Rachel," she said, and I was grateful that she was done squealing.
I chuckled, "Me too, Kris. It's been too long."
"Oh, totally!" She said pulling back to grin at me.
I laughed, "You haven't changed a bit."
"Nope, why mess with perfection?" She asked teasingly. We all laughed and went to collect her luggage. Kristen chatted away about her flight and the cute guy she sat next by on the whole way out to the car. I climbed into the back seat, letting Kristen sit up front so she could be closer to Emma. As we pulled away, she asked, "So what's new with you guys?"
Emma stiffened slightly, so I answered quickly. "Well there's a lot going on with me. I got a job with Atlantic Records." Emma met my eyes in the review mirror, silently thanking me. I smiled at her.
Kristen turned in her seat, "Really? That's awesome, Rach. What do they have you doing?"
I turned my gaze to look into her eager blue eyes. "Well, a couple of things really. I just finished producing my first album. It was for one of the label's artists whose career was flagging and he needed a new sound," I answered.
"That's cool, who's the singer? Have I heard of him?" she asked.
I smiled, "Brian Zane."
"Oh, my God! Seriously?" She asked her mouth hanging open in shock.
"Yeah, his new album is going to be totally different."
"Rachel, that's amazing."
"I know, actually you're gonna get to meet him on Friday." I told her.
"What? How? Where?"
I grinned, "At the grand opening of a new dance club the label is opening. I'm DJing and we're previewing the album."
"I—that's—wow, thanks," was all she could manage to get out.
I laughed, "You're welcome. Ava and Harold will be there too, and I got you all into the VIP room, so you'll be able to mingle with the stars."
Emma glanced at me in the mirror again, her eyebrows raised in surprise. "You didn't tell me that."
"Sorry, Em. I forgot to tell you last night," I said, smirking at her. I'd spent most of the night gagged and couldn't talk. She blushed slightly, and Kristen opened her mouth to speak, so I hurriedly asked, "So do you have anything to wear, Kristen? Cause we can take you shopping tomorrow, if you want." It sufficiently distracted her for the rest of the drive to dinner.
Kristen waited until we had ordered to ask the dreaded question. "So, Rachel, I've been dying to know. How much has Emma told you about her job?"
I glanced over at Emma and saw that she was a little green. I quickly pushed a wine glass into her hand before turning to Kristen and saying, "I know everything."
She watched me skeptically, "Really? And you're ok with that?"
Emma took a deep gulp of her wine, while I paused to push down my anger. When I thought I had control, I said, "Yeah, Kristen. I have no problems with it, so long as she doesn't use anyone but me."
Kristen's jaw dropped. "You—?" She broke off unable to finish her question.
I took Emma's hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. "Yeah, I submit to Em." I said gently. Emma squeezed my hand in gratitude and I smiled at her.
"I—," Kristen started to speak again, but she stopped, obviously struggling for words.
I took pity on her and said, "Kristen, you don't have to understand it, but Emma and I are happy. It works for us."
She studied us for a long moment, before she sighed, "Alright, I'm sorry. I don't get it, but I can see that you guys make each other happy. And that's all I want for you both."
"Thank you, Kristen," Emma said, her voice full of emotion.
I grinned and said, "I'm really glad you're ok with this, because Emma and I are buying a house together and you better get your ass back out here for our housewarming party."
They both laughed, breaking the last of the tension between us.
Chapter 12
Over dessert, Kristen asked, "So, Rachel you said that Ava was coming on Friday night. I had no idea she was in town. Have you guys kept in contact?"
"No, we ran into her one night, a few weeks ago. She runs a woman's shelter out here," I said deliberately being vague about the exact nature of our reunion.
"That's cool. Where'd you run into her? With a city this large the odds must be astronomical," Kristen said laughing.
I looked away, hoping she wouldn't notice the slight blush rising on my cheeks. Emma noticed and squeezed my thigh under the table. She turned to Kristen and said, "One of the clubs was doing a fundraiser for Ava's shelter. We ran into her there."
Kristen's eyes narrowed as she studied us and I knew that she realized we were hiding something. "What kind of club?"
I sighed. "It was a BDSM club."
"That seems a little counter intuitive, doesn't it? I mean why would a woman's shelter want a club that specializes in giving beatings to do a fundraiser?" Kristen asked, her voice almost malicious.
Emma stiffened next to me, and she looked away from her best friend, her lips a thin line. I glared at Kristen, spitting out, "It's nothing like that, Kristen. If you took five minutes to get your head out of your ass, and actually asked about the lifestyle, you'd see that you are completely wrong."
Kristen met my gaze coldly. "Oh really? Tell me, do you or do you not get off on being degraded, objectified, and hit?"
I laughed bitterly. "Is that really what you think Emma does? Fuck, Kristen, do you know your best friend at all?"
She scoffed, "Of course I know Em. I've known her longer than you have."
"Well apparently you haven't been paying attention. Do you really think she could hurt a fly? Do you think she could do those things to me?" I asked.
Kristen opened her mouth to say something, but she stopped herself and looked over at Emma, studying her for a minute before turning back to me, her shoulders drooping. "No, I don't," she admitted. Emma turned back to Kristen, her eyes showing the surprise she felt at the admission.
"Good, because she couldn't ever do that, not to me, not to anyone," I said gently, reaching over to take Emma's hand, gently caressing it with my thumb. "Kristen, what we do isn't about pain, it's about giving yourself completely to another person, at least it is for me. I think for Emma it's about being given that trust and control."
Kristen dropped her gaze to her wine glass. "Oh, I—uh hadn't thought of it that way."
"I know, Kristen, but that's why you should ask questions instead of jumping to conclusions. I mean, can you honestly tell me that you've never been with a guy who wanted to have a little kinky sex?" I asked.
Kristen blushed, reluctantly nodding. "Yeah, I dated a guy in college who liked to mess around with handcuffs."
Emma's voice was an octave higher as she said, "You never told me that."
Kristen's blush deepened, and she still wouldn't look at either of us, so I carefully asked, "Did you enjoy it?"
Kristen finally picked up the glass she had been fiddling with and drained its contents. "Yeah," was all she said.
"Kristen what Emma and I do is like that, but more intense." I explained, hoping to finally get through to her.
She finally met my eyes. "But don't you feel degraded to be treated like a slave? I mean, come on, Rachel. You thrived on standing up for yourself in college. When did that change?"
I chuckled, "It hasn't changed. Just ask Em about the bitch I hit a few weeks ago. But, I don't really know how to explain it." I looked over to meet Emma's lovi
ng eyes and smiled. Not taking my eyes from my girlfriend, "It's just different with Emma, she makes me feel safe." I looked back to Kristen and smirked, "But I still push her buttons."
"Really?" Kristen asked.
Emma's throaty chuckle rang out over the table, "Yeah, she does, as often as she thinks she can get away with it." I blushed again, ducking my head.
"Do you let her?" Kristen asked, and I could hear the smile in her voice.
"No, but she still tries," Emma said, giving my hand an affectionate squeeze. I smiled despite my slight embarrassment.
I could still feel Kristen's curious gaze, but she thankfully changed the subject. "I didn't realize that you and Harold stayed friends after you guys broke up."
I turned grateful eyes back to Kristen and she smiled. "Well, it took a while, be we got back to the point of being friends. And we shared an apartment for a while after we moved out here. But he drove me crazy with his movie addiction, so I got my own place. But he's still my closest friend besides Emma," I explained.
"Right on." Kristen said, turning her attention back to her cheesecake.
Emma leaned down to whisper in my ear, "Thank you for handling that, love."
I turned my face and kissed her cheek. "You're welcome."
When we got back to Emma's place, Kristen made a beeline for the guest room to deposit her bags. Not thinking about what I was doing, my feet traveled the familiar path from the garage to the side table by the front door. It wasn't until I saw the empty surface that I realized what I was doing. I froze, tension running through my entire body, my thoughts running wild over the possible meanings behind the collar's absence, my need to buckle it in place, and my fears over wearing it in front of Kristen.
Emma moved up beside me, gently placing a hand on my shoulder. "It's in the playroom. I didn't want to make things more difficult for you if you chose not to put it on, my love."
I relaxed and turned to wrap my arms around her waist and breathe in her clean scent. "Sorry, Em, I just panicked for a moment when it wasn't there. I know we said we'd wait and see how Kristen reacted."
"I know, honey. It's alright," she said gently stroking my back. "Do you want it?"
"Yes—no—I don't know," I said. Then I stopped myself, forcing my thoughts to slow enough for me to make sense of them. Finally, I said, "I want to wear it. I feel naked without it when I'm here. And I think after our conversation at dinner Kristen needs to see it."
Emma tilted my chin so she could look into my eyes. "Are you sure?"
I took a deep breath and nodded, "Yes."
"Ok, wait here, I'll go get it. I locked the door to the playroom for Kristen's visit." She said, and then kissed me before moving down the hallway.
Kristen chose that moment to walk out of the guestroom, and I tensed back up. She looked at me and asked, "Where's Em going?"
"She's going to get my collar," I answered, my voice coming out small and weak due to my nerves.
"God, can't you guys keep it in your pants for a week?" She asked, disgusted.
"It's not like that, Kristen," Emma snapped, coming back into the hall. Kristen turned to her, looking like she was going to say something else, but Emma held up a hand to stop her, saying, "Just watch, Kristen. I think you'll understand." She smiled gently at me as she handed me the collar. Then she took a step back so Kristen would have an unobstructed view of me and the collar.
I looked down at the band in my hand, gently stroking the soft leather while I gathered my courage. I took a deep breath and looked up to meet Kristen's judgmental gaze. I slowly lifted my hands and buckled the collar into place. I sighed contentedly, the tension draining from my body as the certainty of knowing my mistress would protect me settled over me. I smiled when Kristen's jaw dropped. She stared at me for a long time, the hostility gone from her eyes.
Eventually she tentatively asked, "Rachel?"
"Yes, Kristen?" I asked, slightly amused by her reaction.
"Are you alright?"
I chuckled, "Yeah, I'm great."
"Um, are you sure? You don't seem like yourself," she said, not taking her now worried eyes off me.
I couldn't help myself, I smirked. "I'm still me, Kristen."
The worry faded from her eyes at seeing my usual smirk. "Wow, ok, I—that wasn't what I expected." She turned to Emma. "I owe you an apology. I'm sorry, Em."
Emma smiled. "It's ok. I know what you were thinking, Kristen. I just wished you'd let me actually explain everything before."
"Is it always like that?" Kristen asked.
"With Rachel, yes. But not with anyone else." Emma said, turning to smile at me. I returned the smile.
Kristen followed Emma's gaze and studied me. "You know, Rachel I don't think I've ever seen you so relaxed. It's weird."
I shrugged. "I belong to Emma," I said simply.
Kristen's gaze darkened. "That's creepy," she said, the disgust crawling back into her voice.
I dropped my gaze, and Emma moved to stand next to me, wrapping a protective arm around me. I leaned into her as she turned back to Kristen. "Drop it, Kristen. I'm Rachel's too."
From the corner of my eye, I saw Kristen throw her hands up in the air and stalk into the living room. "Are you alright, Rachel?" Emma asked.
I looked up to meet her green eyes. "Yes, Mistress. But it's harder than I thought."
"I know, my pet," She said, kissing my forehead. "Do you still want to stay?"
I immediately nodded, "Yes, Mistress."
"Do you want to keep the collar on?" She asked carefully.
My hands immediately flew to my neck, protectively covering the leather band. "Yes, Mistress."
She chuckled softly, "Alright, my pet. I won't take it off." Then she sighed and said, "Let's go see what we can do about our guest."
"Yes, Mistress," I said, following her into the living room.
Kristen was sitting on one end of the couch staring off into space. She didn't look at either of us when we entered. Emma moved to sit on the other end of the couch and I awkwardly shifted, unsure of where I would sit. My mistress eyed me and I could see her insecurities rise to the surface. It made up my mind and I moved to kneel on the floor next to her. I heard Kristen's soft gasp, but I ignored it as Emma's trembling fingers brushed softly down my hair. I shifted to lean against her legs, and lay my head on her lap.
I met Kristen's eyes as she stared down at me. Emma lightly fingered my collar and I smiled. Those crystal blue eyes widened and she breathed out, "Jesus, Em. She's like a completely different person."
"No, she's not. She's still the same Rachel. She's just…unguarded." Emma said.
I sat up and smiled up at my mistress. "I think that's a really good explanation," I said before turning back to Kristen. "I trust Emma completely, but the collar reminds me that I belong to her, so she won't leave me, like everyone else always has. It makes me feel safe to open up, and relax."
"That's—that's really beautiful, Rachel," Kristen said, her eyes softening. "I have to admit, I'm kinda jealous, Em. I tried all of senior year to get her to really open up, and you manage it in a month."
I laughed, "Kristen, you had your chance at me. But I'm Emma's now."
Kristen's eyes went wide, but before she could respond, Emma's fingers tightened around my collar and jerked me up onto my knees, forcing me to look at her. "Behave, Rachel," she snapped.
"Yes, Mistress. I'm sorry," I said immediately.
She released my collar and said, "Go get us something to drink, my pet."
"Yes, Mistress," I said, jumping to my feet, and hurrying from the room. I could hear them arguing as I moved around in the kitchen pouring wine for them. I couldn't make out the words, so I moved as quickly as possible, wanting to get back to my mistress' side. The conversation abruptly stopped when I came back in with the wine glasses. I handed them to each of the girls and knelt at Emma's feet again.
"Thank you, Rachel," Emma said stiffly.
"You're welcome, Mistress," I an
swered, wondering what they had said to each other in my absence.
Kristen stared at my empty hands and asked, "God, Rachel, why do you let her treat you like this?"
I glared at her and my voice was husky with anger when I said, "Because Kristen, she's my mistress. I want to make her happy."
"This is ridiculous. I get that you feel safe or whatever, but seriously? Look at yourself, kneeling at her feet like a dog, waiting on her hand and foot, how is this healthy?" She asked in a voice thick with disgust.
I felt my mistress flinch and I lost it. I jumped to my feet advancing on Kristen, who stood to meet my fury with her own anger. "Look at yourself, you judgmental bitch. Why do you care what I do with or for my mistress? You say you want us to be happy, but you don't. You just want us to fit into your hetero-normative view of what should make people happy. If you can't accept it, maybe you should get out," I snarled.
"Rachel, that's enough!" Emma roared, also standing. I didn't back down, I just stared daggers into Kristen's startled blue eyes. My mistress' fingers slipped under my collar and yanked me back from Kristen. "You do not get to tell anyone what to do in my house, let alone tell them to leave! Now, kneel, my pet. I will deal with you in a moment," she snarled.
Of their own accord, my knees buckled and I sank to the floor as the weight of my need to submit to my mistress took hold. My eyes remained focused on the carpet in front of me as the anger drained away. I felt my mistress move around me to face Kristen. Her voice was still angry, as she said, "Do you want to leave?"
I heard Kristen sigh and sit heavily on the couch. "No, I just don't get it Em. It's a lot to take in, you know?"
Emma sighed and sat next to her. "I know."
Kristen shifted, and I think she turned to face my mistress. "I mean, a second ago, I thought Rachel was going to hit me, and now she's sitting there completely calm, waiting for God knows what to happen."
Emma chuckled, the sound relaxing one of the knots of worry in my belly. "She's not completely calm, Kristen. She's submissive. There is a difference. She wants me to take control, and she knows that she deserves punishment for her disobedience. Part of her craves it. So she's waiting to see what I'll do."