The place was packed tonight, so she had to look for several seconds to see if Blake was anywhere close by. When she decided he wasn’t, she walked over to the bar to see if Master Kip might know where he was. She could tell by his whistle and nod that Blake was going to be pleased with her look. “Master Kip, have you seen Blake?” she asked politely.
“He’s taking care of a little issue in back, honey, but he told me to keep you right here until he was finished. Would you like your usual?”
“Yes, Sir. Thank you.”
“You know, Master Blake hasn’t been this happy for quite a while, young lady, so whatever it is you’re doing—keep doing it.”
“I’m pretty happy myself, Master Kip. He’s taking very good care of me.”
“I don’t doubt that for a minute, sugar,” he said with a wink.
She saw Blake come through the double doors and walk her way. He stopped when he got a good look at her. “Do you like it, Master?” she asked with a smile.
“I more than like, little one, and it’s taking all the restraint I have not to take you upstairs and show you just how much. You are absolutely breathtaking, sweetheart.” He kissed her on the side of the neck and then added, “If I didn’t have to do that training, we’d be out of here in a second, but alas, duty calls.”
“So, do I just sit and watch while you’re doing your thing?”
“Master Kip is going to be sitting with you while I’m ‘doing my thing’ and then you and I are gonna have a long talk about it afterward so that I know you’re okay.”
“Well, that kinda scares me.”
“I’m not trying to scare you, sweetheart. I just don’t want any more bad experiences for you here at the club.”
“Okay.”
“Good girl. Now, I’ve got to go get ready, so you stay here with Master Kip. Do not leave his side, am I clear? You will listen to him just as if it were me.”
“I understand, Master.”
She watched as Blake talked to Master Kip and then walked away to get ready.
“We’ll go in about five minutes, honey. Just sit tight.”
“Yes, Sir,” Myka answered, a little concerned about what she was about to see.
When Master Kip escorted her back, he sat with her on one of the padded benches that was in front of the X-cross room. There were several couples in front of them, and Master Kip explained they were the ones being trained.
She looked up and saw Blake on the other side with another man and a naked woman. Blake was talking to the man as he was securing the woman to the cross. He could be heard clearly from where they sat, through the speakers. He talked about safety first and always making sure the restraints were not too tight. The more he talked, the more nervous Myka became. Apparently Master Kip was keeping a close eye on her because he bent his head down and told her to take some deep breaths.
“If you feel like you can’t watch, I will take you out, but Master Blake wants you to at least try, okay?”
“Yes, Sir,” she said quietly.
“He knows what he’s doing, sweetheart. He’s not gonna hurt her.”
When Blake pulled the whip down from the wall and cracked it, she jumped. He asked the woman what her safe word was and then began. He would strike her on the back, and then he would talk to those observing like they were in a classroom learning math. Myka noticed the woman would moan every once in a while, but she never screamed out in pain. He whipped her several more times, and then Myka looked down at her hands and took a deep breath.
“Are you alright, Myka?”
She nodded her head, but said nothing.
“I need you to answer me, please.”
“Yes, Master Kip, I’m fine.”
“Myka, look at me.”
She slowly looked up into his kind eyes.
“Trish is fine with this. This is not her first time. This is what she likes. I want you to look at her and tell me if you see any cuts or bleeding.”
Myka looked at the woman, only noticing red marks, but no broken skin. “No, Sir. She’s not bleeding.”
“That’s right. Because Master Blake is very experienced. That’s why he teaches. He wants anyone using a whip to do so with safety in mind at all times. Now, take some deep breaths for me and take a sip of this water.”
Myka did as she was told and was able to start feeling a little better. Blake was almost finished with the training. He handed the whip to the man and then began talking softly to the woman as he was releasing her from the restraints. She heard him say loudly at his audience, “Never leave your sub alone after a scene. You stay with your sub for as long as your sub needs you to. Do not leave a minute before. Is everyone clear on this? Now, because this is a demonstration, I have asked Master Stephen to stay with Trish for her aftercare. Trish agreed that this was fine, prior to us starting the training, but normally, it would be whoever is in the scene together.”
Myka knew immediately that he had done that so he could come and be with her instead, and that touched her heart more than he would ever know. “When will he be out, Master Kip?”
“Just a few more minutes, sweetheart. You did real good, you know.”
She smiled at him before adding, “Thank you, Sir.”
She saw Blake trying to get to her, but he kept getting bombarded by people thanking him and asking him questions. When he finally made his way over to her, he looked down into her eyes, caressed her cheek with the back of his knuckles, and then asked Master Kip, “Is there anything you and I need to discuss before I take her home?”
“I think that would be a good idea,” Master Kip replied as he stood up.
“Stay here, sweetheart. I’m stepping right over there, but you can still see me.”
Myka nodded and watched as they walked away so they could talk in private. She knew they were talking about her, but she didn’t really mind. She liked Master Kip and knew Blake was just trying to make sure she was alright.
After a few minutes, Blake returned and held out his hand to her. “Do you want to go upstairs or just go home?”
“Home, Sir, please.”
“Then home it is. You’re going to leave your car here tonight, and then we’ll come back and get it in the morning.”
“But, I can—”
“No buts, young lady. You’re not driving home by yourself, and that’s the end of it.” He continued walking her toward the exit, not even giving her a chance to object.
Once they got into the truck, he put his hand on her knee, and they drove back home in comfortable silence. Myka was tired, but she knew she would have to talk once they got there, so she tried to keep herself awake.
Blake took her inside and told her to go get out of her clothes while he fixed them a drink. He sat there on the sofa and patted the spot beside him as she entered the room. He handed her a glass of tea and then put his arm around her so she could snuggle up against him. “We need to talk about what you saw tonight, baby,” he said, kissing the top of her head.
“What did Master Kip tell you?”
“It doesn’t matter what Master Kip told me—I want to hear from you. Tell me some of the thoughts you had when you first saw me with the whip.”
Myka thought a minute, running her finger around the rim of her glass. “I was scared at first, and then I thought about Callie.”
“You were afraid I was going to hurt Trish?”
“Yes.”
“And when I had finished, did you still think I had hurt her?”
“No.”
“Okay, when I say ‘we’re going to talk’ that means I want more than a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ from you.”
“I’m sorry. I’m just tired, I think.”
“I’m sorry, too, sweetheart, ’cause I can’t let you go to sleep until I’m satisfied you’re truly alright.”
“Would you ever whip me?”
“No. Not right now, anyway—you’re not ready for that. Is that what you thought? That I’d want to whip you, too?”
&n
bsp; “A little bit.”
“Master Kip said there were a few times when you had to take some deep breaths. Talk to me about that, Myka.”
“Uh, one time was at the beginning when I started to think about Callie and then you cracked the whip and scared me. The other time, I can’t remember. Blake, I’m fine. I just want to go to bed.”
“We’re not done yet, Myka. I want you to think about the other times you had to take deep breaths and tell me what you were feeling.”
“God, Blake! This is stupid.”
“I’ve got all night, baby. You’re the one who wants to go to bed, so the quicker you talk the quicker you’ll be done.”
“Okay! I kept hearing the fucking whip over and over and over in my head, and I didn’t like that you were the one doing it to her! Why couldn’t the other guy do it?”
“So it bothered you that I was doing a scene with someone else, even though it was just a demonstration?”
“Ohhhh—I don’t know! I didn’t think it bothered me, I thought it was you using the whip that upset me. I don’t know what I think.”
“Yes you do know, Myka, and I want to know, too. That’s why it’s important for us to have these talks after something like this, because I don’t want to miss anything. You did notice I didn’t do the aftercare, right?”
“Yes, I noticed. Thank you for that. I guess I’m just jealous. I know it wasn’t anything to be jealous about, but part of me doesn’t want to accept that.”
“So, does this mean you have feelings for me, Myka Lambert?”
“Yes, I suppose it does.”
“Then say the words.”
“Fine. I love you.”
“Good, ’cause I love you, too,” he said, pulling her to him for a kiss.
She was happy she had gotten him distracted from all that talking, but as soon as she had that thought, he stopped and pulled back from her. Are you kidding me?
“Is there anything else we need to discuss, my insanely jealous little sub?”
“No there’s not,” she answered flatly.
“Good, then let’s go to bed,” he replied, swatting her on the bottom.
Chapter 9
The remainder of the week was quite busy with Myka job-hunting during the day and going to the club at night. She was thankful, though, since Kim was gone and she had no one to talk to. She had gone and bought three more outfits so she would have something different to wear each night. Blake assured her it was fine, so she didn’t really worry about the money she was spending.
Blake asked her to come to the club early one evening because there were some female visitors from out of state. She had guessed that he wanted them to have someone to hang out with, since the club didn’t open for a few more hours. Myka met the two women and asked if they’d like to go get something to eat.
As they drove toward the café, one of the women asked, “Now, you’re not the sub Master Blake was with last time we were here, right?”
“I, uh, guess not. How long has it been since you visited?” Myka asked.
“Oh, about six months or so. Way too long if you ask me. Yeah, that other woman was nice, but a little strange. You suit him much better.”
“Well, good. I like to think so as well.” I’m going to kill Blake for sending me off with these two!
“So, what was that other one’s name, Jan?” one of the women asked her friend.
“Oh, gosh, I think it was Mandy or Miranda—something like that. So whatever happened to her anyway?” she asked Myka.
“I have no idea. You’d have to ask Master Blake that question.” Nosey little bitches. “So, where are you two from?” Myka asked, trying to get them off the subject of Blake’s previous subs. The last thing she wanted was to be thinking about him with someone else. She’d never really been a jealous woman before, so this emotion was new to her. Of course, she had never had a man like Blake, either, so that could have a lot to do with it.
“We’re from Georgia,” Jan replied. Myka just nodded and allowed the two women to talk among themselves so she wouldn’t have to answer any more of their questions. She was thrilled when it was time to take them back to the club.
Once back, she told the women good-bye and went to find Blake. “You owe me big time, mister,” she said, pretending to be mad and hitting him in the stomach with her fist.
“Ow! What was that for?”
“You left me alone with those two busybodies for over two hours, and you will make it up to me!”
“Damn, you’re bossy. You’d think you lived with a Dom or something.”
“I did learn from the best, baby.”
“Okay, I’ll make it up to you, sweetheart.” He then leaned down so he could whisper in her ear. “Tonight you’re gonna come so hard, and you’ll be screaming my name so loud, the neighbors will smile—but how you get there will be totally on my terms. Get ready for a night you’re gonna remember for a long, long time, baby.” He kissed Myka on the nose and then walked away, leaving her standing there, speechless.
She followed him into his office, and then he added, “Go home and wait for me there, Myka. Do not have anything on when I get there. Am I clear?”
“Uh-huh,” she said, still in shock at his words.
He pulled her close and swatted her on the bottom. “Again.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Good, now go before I make you go in there and play in front of everyone.”
“Yes, Sir,” she replied quickly, grabbing her purse and heading for the door. She had made it almost to the car when she realized she had left her keys on his desk. She ran back in and started for his office, but could hear him on the phone, because the door was still ajar. She didn’t want to eavesdrop, but she could hear the frustration in his voice.
She then heard him say “Miranda, don’t call me at this number again.” Miranda? That’s the sub those women were talking about.
After he ended the call, she waited a second and then knocked on the door before entering. She ran over to his desk and grabbed her keys, pretending not to notice the look of anger on his face. “See ya later, baby,” she said, trying to force herself to sound happy. She then turned and left as quickly as she had entered, running to her car before anyone could stop her.
She couldn’t help but wonder what Miranda wanted from Blake and why he was even talking to her. Before she had even gotten out of the parking lot, her phone rang, but she didn’t recognize the number. “Hello?” she answered, thinking for some strange reason it might be Kim.
“My name is Miranda Richardson, and I know this is weird, but I felt like you needed to know. First of all, I’m carrying Blake’s child, and I know that you’re his new sub, but I just wanted to give you a heads-up. We’re actually meeting tomorrow night to discuss getting back together, so I’m giving you fair warning. Blake is sometimes too nice about these things and probably wants to let you down gently, but really, I don’t see the point in all that.”
Myka sat there, saying nothing.
“Hello? Are you there?”
“I’m here.”
“I know this is difficult to hear, but sometimes that’s just the way it is. It’s probably best if you go ahead and move on, for Blake’s sake anyway. Long good-byes are just too hard.”
Myka continued to sit there in shock and then ended the call without saying another word. She started to feel sick at her stomach and had to get out of her car and throw up. There was no way she could even look at Blake tonight, much less have sex with him. She immediately texted him and told him that she had eaten something that didn’t agree with her and she was just going to lie down and go to sleep. At least that would buy her some time. If he was willing to stay with her tomorrow night, she’d know that Miranda was lying. If he said he had plans or had to work, then she wouldn’t be waiting around for him to ditch her. Dammit, this morning the sun was shining and things were good, and now she felt like her heart had been ripped out. Kim, please hurry home. Myka began to cry, not knowing
what else she could do, and hating the fact that she may have to leave the man she loved. Kim’s plane didn’t land until tomorrow, so she’d just have to wing it on her own until she could get some objective advice on how she should proceed.
Later on in the night she heard Blake come in, and she prayed that he wouldn’t be able to tell that anything was wrong. She pretended to be asleep, and he left her alone, thank goodness. The next morning, when Blake asked her how she was feeling, she lied and said she still wasn’t feeling well. She told him she just wanted to stay in bed and rest all day.
“If you’re not better by tomorrow, I’m calling Doc,” he said as he went to get in the shower.
When she knew he was for sure in the shower, she got his phone and found that he and Miranda had talked several times over the past week. It was true. What she said was true, right? If he didn’t want to have anything to do with her or if it wasn’t his baby, why would he have continued to talk to her?
Blake was in and out of the house all day, and she continued to feign her illness. She called Kim as soon as she could and told her the entire story. Kim agreed that it was strange, but still wanted to give Blake the benefit of the doubt and see what happened that night. Kim told Myka she would support her in whatever she decided to do, and they both agreed that Kim couldn’t know where Myka would be going if she did indeed leave. If Myka was missing, Blake, Logan, and Caleb would go to Kim first and make her talk, so the less she knew the better.
The girls also agreed upon a safe word of their own to use while texting or talking on their cell phones. That way, each would know it was safe to talk freely or not. Kim warned Myka that if she left, the men would do whatever they had to in order to find her, so the girls met later in the day and switched credit cards so that Myka’s card use couldn’t be traced. Kim hugged Myka good-bye, and Myka quickly went back home before Blake got there.
Intrigue at Haven's Crossing Page 8