Designed for Submission (Devine Designs) (20 page)

She nodded, a puzzled look on her face.

''Seeing you that night with Ethan—it was like I'd been handed a gift.  I was stunned when I realized that, for the first time in my life, I was jealous of another Dom.  I wanted it to be me.  I was so shocked at my feelings that I didn't know how to tell you.''  Elizabeth felt warmth flooding her body.  ''Tastsinn is my dream.  I saved for a long time in order to build the sort of club that I wanted to play in.  I wanted to offer a safe, comfortable place where I could make sure protocol and rules that I felt were needed to ensure no one was hurt were rigidly enforced,'' Logan told her.  Elizabeth could definitely understand the pull of a dream and hoped to soon know how it felt to achieve one.  She looked up at him and smiled.

''I built a dream club and yet found I was jealous of a member.  To answer your question, Schatzlein, I find I'm not into sharing you right now,'' he said.  ''When we play for the first time, I want it to be just the two of us.  I know that sounds crazy coming from a club owner, but that is as clear as I can describe my feelings.''

Elizabeth shivered at both his words and the look in his eyes.  She smiled and nodded.  ''Clear enough, Sir,'' she said.  Her question was answered and her heart was full.  As they walked back to the car, her entire body shivered.  Anticipation is the most demanding emotion of all.  She only prayed that she could last until her Limo Man finally claimed her.

The visit to the studio was very productive.  Harry was glad to have company and very much enjoyed teasing Elizabeth and pushing Logan's buttons.  He was thrilled to find the two seemed to be even more connected than he had thought when he met them at the festival.  Harry had known Logan for years and crafted a great number of the toys and implements that were used at Tastsinn.  Watching the two, hands never far from each other, bodies brushing, as if to reassure themselves they were still connected, he smiled.  If ever two people were made for each other, these were those two.  Elizabeth was a pleasure to work with, and he soon had several orders for custom items.  He kissed her cheek and smiled when Logan shot him a look of warning.  Yes, the man was a goner.  When they left, Logan smiled and handed a bag to Elizabeth.

She looked up at him, her eyes shining.  ''Should I be scared?'' she asked, with a smile.

He laughed and shrugged his shoulders.  ''Depends,'' he said, as he opened her car door and watched as she seated herself.  He reached across to fasten her belt and before straightening, kissed her softly.  ''I believe you will adore it when you are a good girl,'' he said, watching her eyes dilate in pleasure at the thought of what he might do to her.  He continued, "and come to dread it when you are a naughty girl.''

Elizabeth felt a delicious shiver run up her spine and her stomach tingled.  ''May I open it now?'' she asked.  When he gently shook his head and she heard the sound of him popping open the trunk, she groaned.  ''You know, Sir,'' she said with a mock glare as he took the bag from her, ''anticipation can kill a girl.''

Logan chuckled and after putting the bag in the trunk, slid behind the wheel.  ''Or, Schatzlein, it can make a girl obedient, so that she will be rewarded,'' Logan said, smiling across at her as she tried to pout, but smiled instead.

Chapter 13

Despite their intense attraction to each other, the two continued to take it slowly.  It was as if they wanted to make sure before taking the more intimate steps.  It amused and confused both of them, yet for some reason it just felt right.  Logan continued to call, and the two continued to talk for long hours.  They found they had the same beliefs in so many areas and agreed to disagree on some they both held strong views that opposed the other.  They went to dinner and out to movies, the museum and took the trip to Galveston.  They sat at a table in the old-fashioned soda shop in a historical part of old downtown known as The Strand, drinking thick milkshakes and watching an older gentleman demonstrate how salt-water taffy was made.  They laughed as they watched tourists and children reach out to try to catch the freshly pulled taffy, wrapped in twists of wax paper and tossed by the man into the crowd.  By the time they were driving home, Elizabeth had a ridiculously huge bag of the candy in her lap.

The feeling of Logan's hand either on her back, or entwined with hers became something that Elizabeth deeply craved.  She had never felt so centered, so connected with anyone before.  She shared her feelings with Nancy and Jason, who were both very happy watching her blossom before their eyes.

The playroom was finally completed.  It was a truly beautiful space, full of light from the two freshly installed skylights.  Garrett, Logan and Jason were all invited to the unveiling and were all very pleased.  Helen walked about the room, running her hand over all the furniture, smiling at the very romantic old-fashioned chaise lounge that Nancy had found on one of her antique junkets.  Nancy had it reupholstered in a deep blue, the color that they had decided to use as accents around the room.  Elizabeth had a brief concern that perhaps Logan would be uncomfortable seeing his parents in such a space, but her concern was totally unnecessary.

Logan sensed he needed to lighten the moment and clapped his father on his back.  ''This room would be perfectly at home in Tastsinn's,'' Logan said, and was happy to see his dad's eyes twinkle. ''I'd say you'd have the absolutely perfect room.'' Ben laughed and agreed.

''Thank you, son.  Just think of all the money we'll save on club fees,'' Benjamin said, and Helen and Nancy giggled, the exchange allowing the atmosphere to clear of the deep emotional pull.

They all enjoyed another meal together; this time everyone was relaxed and conversation flowed easily.  The younger people left early, knowing that there was a room upstairs that needed to be explored in privacy.

Hours later, Helen stood back as her husband removed the black velvet cloth that hung on the wall.  She gasped as a painting was revealed.  Benjamin found his eyes filling as the scene stole his breath.  The painting showed Helen kneeling before a crackling fire, her profile to the viewer.  She wore a simple, almost transparent, gown that sparked the imagination while effectively shielding her body from view.  Her head was thrown back, her arms behind her back.  In front of her stood Benjamin, his eyes focused on the woman he loved, as she offered herself to him.  He held the Infinity collar in his palms, the diamonds unclasped, a single deep green emerald showing how the necklace would latch the moment he placed it around the slender neck of the kneeling woman.  Though there was nothing explicit about the painting, it was very erotic and deeply meaningful to the couple.  They could look at the painting and remember the exact moment they had stepped into the deeply committed lifestyle they shared so intimately.  They stood, their arms around each other, knowing that no matter how old they grew, this painting would allow them to be ageless in their love for each other.  Elizabeth had asked that they wait until they were alone to open her gift.  Benjamin kissed his wife, their love for the incredibly talented young woman filling both of their hearts.

Later in the week, Logan invited Elizabeth to attend a popular Broadway show the following weekend.  Also attending would be his parents, along with Garrett and Ariel.  She was just the tiniest bit nervous, as it would be her first encounter in a dating situation with Logan and his parents.  She found she was also quite anxious to meet his sister.

''Are Garrett and Ariel a couple?'' she asked, and then thought it was really none of her business.  ''I'm sorry,'' she said, quickly.

''It is not a secret, honey,'' Logan assured her.  ''They have known each other since we were all small.  I think my folks always hoped they'd get together.  I wouldn't be surprised if they did get married.'' He chuckled.  ''How much you want to bet they'll have a beach wedding?''

''I'm not betting against it,'' she said.  ''I'm the one that painted that funny little fish and the beautiful mermaid, remember?'' Logan laughed; he had been drawn back to childhood as he found the small tiger representing him in the mosaic.

As she began preparing for the following workday, she had a soft smile on her face, remembering how he had ended the call.  ''Perhaps I'll take a page from Jason's book,'' he had said, his voice seeming to drop deeper.  When she asked what he meant, he had simply chuckled.  ''Anticipation, my dear,'' he said, and paused. ''The game is in the name.  Talk to you tomorrow.'' It had taken her a few minutes to work through his riddle. 
The game is in the name
, she thought, and then gasped.  She felt her face flush and her pulse rate increasing.  He was taking her to see the musical, 'Wicked'.

Elizabeth had little time to consider what the weekend might bring as she and Nancy poured themselves into finalizing plans to begin work on Elizabeth's dream.  When they had discovered that Benjamin was prepared to simply throw away anything in the storage room to prep the area for its new purpose, Elizabeth had been horrified.  Her face must have shown her distress, because Helen spoke quickly.

''Don't fret, my dear,'' she said, to reassure her.  ''This has been hidden so long that we've forgotten about it.  All the children have already taken whatever they want.'' When Elizabeth offered to purchase some of the things, Helen's first reaction was disbelief that anyone would want the old furniture or knick-knacks.  Her second was to tell her she could have whatever she desired.  Elizabeth appreciated the gesture but was not one to take advantage of anyone, especially a client as sweet as this couple.

When Nancy saw her friend run her hand over the same old trunk for the hundredth time, she turned to Helen:  ''Liz loves nothing better than to refurbish old things to bring them back to life.  If you don't let her purchase some of this stuff, I swear she won't be fit to work with.'' Helen shook her head but allowed Elizabeth to make an offer.  Helen immediately cut it in half, insisting it was her final negotiation.  Elizabeth had laughed, agreed and arranged the movers to make two deliveries:  one to a local resale shop and the second to a small storage facility where she stored items she had been collecting for the past several years.

The women had spent a tiring, but enjoyable, two days going through the storage room, deciding which pieces of furniture needed refurbishing, which looked perfect even in their old state, and what might work best in the rooms Elizabeth had designed.  Nancy had convinced her she needed to provide a boutique inside the hotel.

''Imagine the additional income,'' Nancy had said, as she showed Elizabeth some of her ideas.  ''Couples come for a weekend or even longer.  Perhaps they have forgotten some vital toy, or even a naughty implement to test out the soundproofing in their room.  They find there is a wide variety available right in the hotel.'' She saw Elizabeth nodding and smiling, so she continued.  ''Of course, the Dom sees some very sexy lingerie or cuffs or kinky jewelry as he picks out his tool of intimate torture.  How is he going to be able to resist buying his sweet Sub a special token to remember their visit to Haven?''

''Okay, okay,'' Elizabeth had laughed, Nancy's words easily bringing the scenario to life.  ''You may have your boutique and store, but…'' she warned, shaking her finger, ''you alone take responsibility for the design, purchasing and stocking.  I've got far too much to do as it is.''

Nancy eagerly agreed.  ''Thanks, Liz,'' she said, hugging her partner.  ''I know this is your dream, but I am so excited for you.  I … I just want to feel I helped.''

Elizabeth suddenly understood something about herself.  Though it was her idea, a dream that she had worked on for years, it would mean absolutely nothing unless she shared it with people she loved.  ''Nance, you've always had a part, and I will always need you,'' Elizabeth said, tears welling in her eyes.  ''I would never think of building Haven without you.'' Nancy felt her own tears and the girls spent the next few minutes crying and hugging and then giggling.  Elizabeth did make her last point.  ''Just make sure you never, ever expect me to personally demo any of your wares!'' Nancy laughed but promised, her mind already making lists of what she would need.  Another visit to Harry's was definitely on the schedule.

Saturday evening, Elizabeth was ready just moments before her doorbell rang.  She took a final glance in the mirror.  She was wearing a black halter dress that was snug on top but had a skirt of many layers that flared out over her hips.  It felt sexy as it swished around her legs, just above her knees.  The front of the dress supported her breasts so well that she didn't need to wear a bra.  The dress was held together with a clasp at the back of her neck, baring her entire back down to the swell of her hips.  She wore her hair up, held by the clip Logan had given her.  It looked sleek and beautiful, and allowed her neck to be bare.  Around her neck she had put on a set of her grandmother's pearls.  They were long enough to loop twice and lay just right, drawing the eye to her cleavage in a sexy, but not blatant, way.  She wore stockings that she had clipped to a garter belt and a lacy pair of panties.  She slipped her feet into black shoes that had red heels as well as red soles.  She knew she was going to have aching feet before the night was over but absolutely loved the look.

''You look stunning,'' Logan said, when she unlocked and opened the door.  Elizabeth thought he was the one that looked stunning.  His tux fit him perfectly—his hair swept back, his blue eyes capturing hers just before he leaned close to kiss her.  At that moment, she could have easily forgone the show just to stay exactly where she was.  Logan loved her soft moan as he released her lips.  He had a bag in his hand and walked to her kitchen.  She tried to compose herself as she watched him take a bottle of champagne from the bag and put it into the refrigerator.  She smiled, thinking they would enjoy it together after the show and perhaps do something wicked.  He pulled a pint of strawberries from the bag and then a can of something.

She recognized the ingredients and wrinkled her nose.  ''You really spray that on strawberries?'' she asked, thinking that whipped cream in a can was a little out of character for the man in the tux.