A Talent for Surrender (31 page)

Sarah leaned across and touched his arm. ‘I’ll go and get the champagne.’

‘Thank you all for making it possible.’ Dan couldn’t help smiling. ‘You’ve helped me produce a fantastic film and –’ he looked at Jo ‘– in more ways than one you’ve also helped me to change my life. I never thought I’d say it, but I’d like to thank you all for corrupting me.’

Madame Cyn got to her feet. ‘Say it once, say it loud, we’re kinky and we’re proud.’ The room erupted into applause and laughter. Cyn sat down beside him. ‘It’s like that scene in the movie
Freaks
– do you know what I mean? “We accept you as one of us . . .” We’ve come a long way together, haven’t we? And, in your wildest dreams, I bet it never crossed your mind that you’d be joining us, did it?’

‘Not at all. Jo and I have a lot to thank you all for.’

Sarah passed around champagne. Cyn grabbed two glasses and handed one to Dan. ‘Unfortunately, not all of us are so lucky in love.’ She took a sip of her champagne. ‘But I live in hope.’

‘What sort of man are you looking for, Cyn?’ Jo asked.

‘That’s the problem I think. I’m strictly dominant but the problem is, my type of woman only seems to attract wimps. What I’m really looking for is a man with real power. I’ve always liked . . . oh, I don’t know . . . soldiers and firemen . . . men in traditionally masculine jobs.’

‘Can’t resist the uniform, eh?’ Dan smiled.

‘I think that’s part of it, yes. I love muscles . . . sweat . . . power. And I love the thought of him surrendering all that power to submit to me . . .’ Her eyes looked far away and wistful. She shrugged. ‘But I know it’s just a pipe dream.’

‘Well –’ Dan leaned close and lowered his voice ‘– he might not meet your criteria, but I happen to know that someone here has been nursing a secret passion for you for a very long time. It’s obvious to anyone . . . except you, it appears.’

‘No! Who?’

Dan pointed across the room. ‘Nicholas. I don’t know whether he’s a fireman or not.’

‘He isn’t.’ Cyn couldn’t take her eyes off Nick. ‘He’s an accountant as a matter of fact.’

Dan laughed. ‘An accountant?’

‘What’s so funny?’ Jo thumped his arm.

‘I don’t know . . . somehow I just don’t expect kinky people to have such normal jobs.’

‘Normal jobs like film making or running a school, you mean?’ Jo laughed.

‘OK, OK . . . you always said I should try not to label people.’ He turned back to Cyn. ‘What do you do for a living, Cyn?’ Dan tried to imagine her dressed for the office in a business suit with her wild hair tamed and caught back in a matronly bun.

She fixed him with a steely glare. ‘I have my own florist shop. Jade and Peter run an organic vegetable business and Christina is a personal development trainer. Take away our costumes and our props and we’re Mr and Mrs Average. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll just go and have a word with Nick.’ She got up.

Trolleys full of food were wheeled in and white-jacketed staff served trays of finger food. Dan took Jo’s hand and led her to the back of the cinema. He flipped down two seats and they sat down.

‘I’ve got a present for you. I never thanked you properly for my collar . . .’ He fingered the silver chair that encircled his throat. ‘So I got you this . . .’ He reached under his seat and handed her a small wrapped gift.

Jo undid the ribbon and tore at the paper. Inside was a small picture frame. She began to laugh. ‘It’s a dog licence . . .’ She read aloud. ‘It says, “Ms Jo Lennox is the registered owner of the dog known as Dan Elliot.” Thank you.’ She kissed him.

‘I’m glad you like it. Will you hang it in your office, do you think? Along with your degree certificates?’

‘I think not.’ She leaned close and lowered her voice. ‘Do you think anyone would miss us if we skipped off early?’ She smiled.

‘I doubt it. Why? What have you got in mind?’ Dan kissed her.

‘Well . . . I was thinking that my doggy might be in need of a spot of obedience training.’ She stroked his collar.