Designed for Submission (Devine Designs) (12 page)

Despite her embarrassment and acute awareness of both men, Elizabeth gradually relaxed as the meal progressed.  She thought it sweet that, instead of sitting at opposite ends of the formal table as was usual, Helen sat to the right of her husband.  Though the table could easily serve a dozen people, conversation flowed freely, since the entire group was gathered around only one end.  Elizabeth could imagine Helen's family enjoying meals together and speaking about how their days had gone.  The food was delicious, served flawlessly by a team of caterers.  The conversation covered many topics, from sports to local politics.  Elizabeth found herself relaxing and enjoying the evening.  As dinner drew to an end, she was no longer only thinking about Logan.  She began to wonder why exactly they had been asked to dinner.

Benjamin stood.  ''Coffee will be served in the living room,'' he announced, as he helped his wife from her seat and began to lead her into the living room.  As Elizabeth stood, she realized that she recognized the way Benjamin's hand was pressed gently into the small of his wife's back.  She turned her head as she stepped away from the table to see Jason also lead Nancy with a gentle hand.  She worried for a moment, panicked that Garrett would touch her in such a way, but before he could offer her his arm, Logan had his arm out to escort her.

''Miss Adams,'' he said simply.  Elizabeth flushed, but just as she touched her hand to his arm, her fantasy bloomed into her mind.  She snatched her hand away, as if she had touched a hot stove.  Turning, she deftly darted between the two men and hurried out of the room.  She was blissfully unaware of the look Garrett shot his best friend, his eyebrow raised, his mouth turned up in a smile.  Logan seemed preoccupied; Garrett looked towards where Elizabeth had disappeared.  As Logan began to follow, Garrett smiled again.  Could it be that his friend had found someone that truly interested him?

Elizabeth sat on the small loveseat, forcing Logan to move even closer to his wife in order to make room for her.  Seeing her flushed face, and seeing Logan and Garrett sauntering out of the dining room, Jason realized he was an unwitting player in a game for which he wasn't sure he knew the rules.

Coffee or wine was offered and poured.  Elizabeth accepted a glass of white wine, praying to redeem her earlier ridiculous behavior.  Once everyone had taken a few sips, Benjamin began to speak:  ''Miss Adams,'' he said, leaning forward in his chair, ''though my wife and I are exceptionally pleased by the work both you and Nancy have done, I find I must personally thank you for the mosaic.  It is an incredible work of art and a gift that I never would have imagined.  It has brought both my lovely wife and me great joy.'' Elizabeth felt herself warm at his thanks.

Helen waited until her husband finished speaking before coming to stand in front of Elizabeth.  Elizabeth immediately stood, as Helen held out her hands.  Jason plucked her glass from her hand, much as Nancy had earlier.  At this rate, Elizabeth would not consume even one glass of wine.

''It is not only beautiful, my dear,'' she said, as she took Elizabeth's hands in her own, ''I must tell you, I sobbed the first time I stood in front of it.''

Elizabeth looked concerned, as she saw the woman's eyes fill with tears.  ''Oh, please, Mrs. Dietrich,'' she said, ''I … I never meant for it to make you sad.''

Helen shook her head.  ''Please, call me Helen.  Forgive me, I didn't mean to cause you concern,'' she said, smiling sweetly.  ''Elizabeth, I am not sad … it could never make me feel sad.  Every time I see it, I feel surrounded by everyone that I love so dearly.  You have an incredible talent, young lady.  You didn't simply give my husband and me what we thought we wanted.  You looked into our souls and gave us what we never even dreamed of.  I thank you from the depth of my heart.''

Elizabeth had never been so moved in her life.  She impulsively reached out to hug the older woman.  Helen returned the hug, and when they separated, both women had tears in their eyes.  Nancy smiled broadly, as she watched the exchange.  She wasn't aware that Jason moved over, effectively leaving no room for Elizabeth.

Helen, seeing that Jason had obviously felt crowded on the love seat, kept Elizabeth's hand in hers.  ''Please, come sit with me,'' she said, walking back towards Benjamin.  Benjamin was seated in a chair, beside which rested a low ottoman.  Helen sank onto it with grace.  She patted the arm of the chair next to her, instructing Elizabeth where to sit.  Elizabeth sank down but not before turning to see Jason give her a look of feigned innocence.  Elizabeth was now sitting directly between Helen and the two men who had taken armchairs across from the loveseat.  Benjamin reached over and patted his wife's hand and then looked around the room.

''I believe it is time to speak frankly,'' he said, and the women knew he was about to explain the new project.  Elizabeth started to look for her bag in order to take notes, but Benjamin's next words halted her.

''Since we are all adults and I we believe share a common interest, I see no reason to beat around the bush,'' he said, looking directly at Elizabeth.  ''Though my instincts tell me I am correct, please know that if I offend you in any way, Miss Adams, I apologize.'' Elizabeth looked in confusion at her friends and then at Garrett.  Garrett simply smiled, and Logan was staring directly at her, as if watching to see her every reaction.  Elizabeth flushed and turned back to Benjamin, who had turned his attention to Nancy.

''Nancy, I must say, the collar you wear is almost as beautiful as the one I placed around Helen's throat thirty-five years ago,'' Benjamin said.  ''Your husband is very fortunate to have found not only his wife but his soul-mate, something which is vital when living the D/S lifestyle.''

Even if a trumpeting elephant chose that moment to charge through the living room, Elizabeth could not have been more shocked.  Her eyes flew to Logan, thinking she'd see a look of shock on his face.  He met her eyes, smiling as if he had known what was coming.  Again remembering the limo, Elizabeth flushed and turned to look at her best friend.  Nancy looked surprised but lifted her hand to stroke the heart lock that nestled into the hollow of her throat.  Elizabeth's eyes moved to Helen and saw the woman mimic the movement, her fingers stroking a sparkling object at her own throat.  Helen saw Elizabeth and lowered her hand.

''I believe Elizabeth can guess the meaning of your symbol, Sir,'' she said.  ''May she try?'' Benjamin chuckled and nodded.  When Helen motioned for Elizabeth to come closer, she found herself rising to obey.  She bent over and looked more closely at the beautiful diamonds around the woman's neck.  She realized she had seen the necklace before but had not once considered it anything except a lovely accessory.  Looking at it now, she felt a smile tugging on her lips.  She met Helen's eyes and smiled.  Helen nodded and reached out to pat Elizabeth's hand.

''It's beautiful,'' Elizabeth said.  ''It is the symbol for infinity, which represents the love you have vowed.  Since there is no lock, you've never taken it off and never will.  She reached out with her fingertip when Helen lifted her neck as if offering herself to the young woman.  Elizabeth tapped her nail against the green emerald that was in the exact center of the symbol where the lines crossed.  ''This is Benjamin,'' she said knowing she was right.  ''This signifies your Prince.''

Benjamin laughed, and Helen looked delighted.  She pulled Elizabeth into another hug.  ''I knew you would be able to read it,'' Helen said.  ''I only hope that one day you, too, will find your own Prince.  Even if he is only half as wonderful as my Benjamin, you will find incredible joy in your service to him.''

Elizabeth briefly closed her eyes, wishing the same and knowing she would never be happy with less.  ''Thank you,'' she whispered.  Benjamin allowed the women another moment, as he kept his eye on Logan.  His son's eyes were unwavering, as he watched the two women.  Logan was unaware of Benjamin's knowing smile.

After another moment, Benjamin reached out to pat his wife's leg.  Elizabeth stepped back and returned to her seat.  ''We would like to ask you both to design a playroom for us,'' he said.

Elizabeth found she wasn't truly either shocked or surprised at the request.  She had already stepped through the looking glass; she was now ready for anything.  She leaned forward, ready to hear every detail.  She looked over to see Nancy's pose mirrored her own, their excitement and interest evident to everyone in the room.

Benjamin smiled and continued.  ''While our children were at home, we kept our play as private as possible.  I know they all became aware of our lifestyle but were respectful enough to appear naïve, though some embraced the practice as well.'' He raised his glass of wine towards the two younger men.  Elizabeth saw both Logan and Garrett grin and raise their glasses in acknowledgment of the silent toast.  Benjamin took a sip of his wine.

''I've enjoyed escorting Helen to various clubs, but, as we've aged, we both find it would be easier, as well as more enjoyable, if we could do more serious play in the comfort of our own home.''

Elizabeth nodded, understanding the thought.  She instantly knew he was not speaking of some room that was dark or even edgy.  She was already envisioning a room that was inviting, one filled with light and subtle colors that would feel comforting, even if one of the occupants were undergoing a scene that wasn't comfortable to most people.  She realized that Benjamin had stopped speaking and understood that her attention had obviously strayed, as she stepped into her own world.

''Excuse me,'' she said realizing she just might possibly have been speaking under her breath as she often did when kicking ideas around in her head.  Benjamin grinned and then chuckled.

''You are correct, Miss Adams,'' he said.  ''As much as the thought of ravishing my bride in the darkness of a dungeon is enticing, I think not.  Our eyesight is not likely to improve as we grow older.'' Everyone laughed, except for Elizabeth, who looked embarrassed.  He leaned across his wife and patted Elizabeth's arm.  ''Don't be embarrassed, child, I think it is fascinating even catching a glimpse of how creative minds work.''

She smiled at the kind look on his face.  ''I still apologize, but please know I
was
listening,'' she said, hearing Nancy giggle.  Before she became accustomed to it, whenever Elizabeth started brainstorming out loud with herself, Nancy was constantly thinking Elizabeth was speaking to her, only to then ignore her when she tried to respond.

''Don't apologize for doing your job, Elizabeth.  It is quite entertaining to see you disappear.  Your face is enough to tell me you are not only listening but have already thought of questions, colors, designs, etc.  Am I correct?'' Benjamin asked, and she smiled.

''Well, yes, Sir,'' she confessed.

''Perfect! Now, there is a large room that is behind the wall of our master suite,'' Benjamin said, and went on to describe it.

Helen interrupted with a laugh.  ''Why don't we just show it to them?'' she suggested.

Benjamin looked surprised at the interruption but then smiled.  "Yes, I believe that would make more sense,'' he said, rising and extending his hand to her.  As he drew her to her feet, he reached out and smacked her bottom.  ''I know you are excited, my dear, but that is no excuse to interrupt.'' Elizabeth stood stock-still in surprise but then heard both Helen and Nancy giggle.

''Yes, Sir,'' Helen said, as she reached back to rub the spot where his hand had connected.  Elizabeth saw the look in her eyes, thinking she looked exactly like Nancy did when with Jason.  It was obvious just how deeply the two were connected, even after decades of marriage.  Elizabeth smiled, shaking her head, knowing she'd seen Jason pop Nancy hundreds of times and, in fact, had been smacked on the bottom by him as well.  She realized she had expected some sort of different behavior just because the couple was probably close to three decades older than she.

Jason and Nancy were following their host up the stairs.  Logan stood and approached her; Garrett stood as well.  ''They are a constant reminder that life doesn't even begin to stop at fifty,'' he said, and was very pleased when she nodded and gave him her first smile.

They joined the others in the hall outside the master suite.  Benjamin led them to a door at the end of the hallway.  He opened it to expose a large room presently holding stacks of old furniture, trunks, antique hall trees and several dozen boxes.

''As you can tell, this room has been used as storage.  I'm sure we have forgotten half of what is in here,'' Benjamin said.  ''However, I know you can use your imaginations well.  Clear out all this old junk, some paint, some new flooring, better lighting, etc., and all that stuff you do so well.  I'd also like this door closed off and an entrance made directly into our bedroom.  What do you think?''

The others watched as Nancy and Elizabeth forgot they even existed, immediately stepping into the room, walking around piles of furniture, pushing boxes out of the way and talking quietly together.  It was several minutes before the two stopped in the middle of the room after tapping on walls and using their hands to indicate beams.  Elizabeth looked up and could imagine a large skylight that would allow the stars to shine down into the room.  It would be well insulated so that the sun would not make the room unbearable if the couple wished to play in the middle of a hot Houston day.

''I know you'll need to take measurements and such, but could you tell me if you are even interested in …''

''Yes!'' they both shouted, and then began to laugh, realizing they had not only interrupted a client, they acted as if they were ready to start tearing out walls this very moment!

Benjamin laughed and clapped Garrett on his back.  ''Wonderful, I can't tell you how excited Helen and I will be to see what you can do with the place.  Let's go back downstairs and discuss it further,'' Benjamin suggested.

As the evening continued, Jason, Logan and Garrett found themselves pushed aside.  It was a rather strange feeling for the three dominant men, but Jason simply laughed.

''As a man who is very experienced with these two great women,'' Jason said, as the three moved to the game room where there was a large pool table, ''I can promise you this.  Once those two get their heads into a project, their hearts follow.  It makes my life a little less orderly, but I've learned to adjust.  If I didn't make them take breaks, they'd both work twenty-four hours a day until the project was finished perfectly.''