Designed for Submission (Devine Designs) (3 page)

Nancy knew her friend was speaking of more than the project.  She bent and gave Elizabeth a hug.  ''I know, honey, your dream is getting close to reality,'' Nancy said, and then giggled and picked up her own cupcake and held it out towards Elizabeth.

''A toast,'' she said, and waited until Elizabeth picked up her own cupcake, ''to the brilliantly talented women of Divine Designs."

Nancy said, ''We definitely know how to kick butt!''

Elizabeth laughed as they touched their cupcakes together.  ''Yes, we definitely do,'' Elizabeth agreed, her melancholy mood disappearing as they bit into the treats.

''Jason is taking us out to celebrate,'' Nancy said, after the first few bites were consumed.  ''We are going to dinner and then, girlfriend, we are going to the club.'' Elizabeth blushed but felt a stirring deep inside.  She always felt a little guilty and a little naughty when walking into a club whose members openly participated in BDSM play.  Though she had not tried any of the bondage elements, she had often witnessed scenes at the clubs.  She knew that Nancy and Jason were much more versatile in their play.  The couple had instantly meshed, as if each had simply been waiting for the other.  The trust required for such play had long been established.  When Elizabeth played, it was much less elaborate.  She chose only the men she had grown to trust—and even care for.  While she truly enjoyed the encounters, which always consisted of some element of having her ass spanked, she had never found any one Dom that seemed to be able to claim all of her.  The men she did play with understood that the small beauty was holding back, never letting go completely despite her sincere desire to want to please her Dom.  The man always came away from the scene sexually satisfied, but not one had any illusions that they had truly been able to touch that special chord deep inside Elizabeth.  Nancy had Jason, and Elizabeth knew their relationship of D/S extended into every aspect of their lives.  When Elizabeth went with them to one of the clubs, she either agreed to be a Submissive for an evening with one of the few Doms she trusted, or sat at the bar with a drink, while simply observing the action.

''Wouldn't you two rather go alone?'' Elizabeth asked.

Nancy's reaction was immediate.  ''Absolutely not!'' she stated, firmly.  ''You haven't come with us in ages.  Life is not only work or even dreaming, Elizabeth Jayne Adams! Life is for living.  We are going to make ourselves gorgeous, let Jason treat us to a fantastic dinner, and then, partner, we are going to play.'' She paused for a moment.  ''And, Liz, by 'we' I mean both of us.  You need to have some fun.'' Elizabeth knew Nancy was right.  Even if her friend's insistence hadn't been so strong, the feeling of need was building.  She nodded her head, her blush only making her more attractive.

''Yes, Ma'am,'' she said, with a small smile.  ''I will do as you command.'' Nancy laughed and began to close up the office.  Elizabeth looked at her watch and opened her mouth to point out it was early.

''Nope, not a word,'' Nancy teased, as she reached across Elizabeth's desk and flipped off her computer.  ''You just said you would do as I command—which means, my sweet little Subbie, that until you are in the presence of a Dom tonight, you may just consider me your Mistress.'' Elizabeth flushed hotter, her mind immediately going to the club, just as Nancy intended.

''Up,'' Nancy said, pulling on her friend's arm.  ''It is time to play!''

That evening when Jason came to the door, his two favorite women met him.  He kissed Elizabeth's cheek and then his fiancé far more passionately.  Elizabeth turned away, a smile on her face, as she picked up the coat she was planning to wear over her clothing.  Though they were going to the club after dinner, she had no intention of raising eyebrows at whatever restaurant Jason had chosen.

When Jason finally released Nancy, he turned to Elizabeth.  ''Nope,'' he said, plucking the coat from her hands.  ''Not only is it not that chilly, Liz, you look far too gorgeous to cover yourself.'' She enjoyed the compliment but still felt uneasy.

''How about one of those pretty shawls, instead?'' he offered.  Elizabeth nodded, and after replacing the coat in the small hall closet, she chose a soft black shawl, one of many that she had knitted.  Jason draped it around her shoulders, offered them each an arm and led them to celebrate their victory.

The restaurant was on the fringe of the downtown area.  While it hadn't been too long ago that everyone seemed to flocking to the suburbs, the last several years had seen the younger generation returning.  Older homes were either demolished and replaced with new structures or left in place after being completely remodeled.  Elizabeth loved the fact that the amount of abandoned buildings was diminishing as they were gutted and then remodeled into large, airy lofts.  She felt Houston had finally taken a page from other large cities.  The nightlife available in the downtown area was no longer confined to the theater.  Restaurants, two sports stadiums, a huge convention center and all types of clubs guaranteed that, once past six, downtown was no longer empty.  It was teeming with a diverse range of people enjoying a wide variety of pleasure.

Jason found a parking spot directly across from the restaurant.  He escorted the women across the street into a newer restaurant they had never tried before but had been put on their list as a definite must-try.  It had received high marks both by the regular food reviewers, as well as from various acquaintances who considered themselves foodies.  The Executive Chef was also a friend of Jason's, and he had agreed to make this evening special for the women.

Jason opened the door, and the sound of people having a good time wafted over them.  The place was crowded, and the air seemed to crackle with excitement.  Nancy smiled, squeezing Elizabeth's hand.

''This is wonderful,'' Nancy said, reaching up to kiss Jason's cheek.  ''I can't wait to eat.'' Jason chuckled; Nancy was almost famous for her appetite.  He knew, also, that her appetite extended to more than food and was honored she shared such a voracious appetite for all life had to offer with him.

The hostess turned to escort them to the table Jason had reserved.  As Elizabeth turned to follow, she almost ran into a man who had stepped out of the restaurant, proper.  On his arm was one of the most beautiful women she had ever seen.  She was only a few inches shorter than he, her blonde hair lying around her shoulders in a very complimentary cut.  She wore a tightly fitted corset-styled top, which immediately let you know she hadn't been cheated in the breast department.  Her skirt flared out in several tiers of lace, which seemed to accentuate her small waist.  Elizabeth's eye traveled down to see legs that seemed as long as Elizabeth was tall.  The woman was wearing silver stiletto heels that had to be at least six inches tall.  Elizabeth shivered knowing just how difficult it was just trying to walk in such high heels.  When her eyes lifted, it was to see the man looking down at her, his eyes meeting hers.  She flushed immediately, her eyes lowering, feeling highly embarrassed to be caught in her obvious perusal of his date.

''Um, excuse me,'' Elizabeth said, as she took a step back and stumbled into another couple entering the restaurant.  The man reached out to grab her arm, and Elizabeth felt as if an electric shock had gone through her.

''Oh, God, I'm so sorry,'' she said, and immediately wished she were anywhere but here.  He smiled down at her, and she felt immensely sorry when he removed his hand, once he was sure she had her feet back under her.

''No need to apologize, Miss Adams,'' he said, in such a compelling timbre that it occurred to her she could easily listen to him read a phone book without ever tiring.  That thought brought another rush of heat to her face.  To make it worse, she saw the blonde attempting to keep a smile off her face.

The man returned his hand to place it on the small of the woman's back before speaking again.  ''I understand congratulations are in order.  Garrett is extremely pleased to have you on the team.  I hope you are celebrating?'' he asked, as if he was truly interested in her evening plans.  She nodded mutely.  She had no recollection of ever having met him before and knew she had never seen the woman.

He smiled, and applying slight pressure with his hand to the woman's back, guided her to the door.  Elizabeth remained frozen, her own skin tingling as if desperate to feel such a simple but somehow erotic touch.  As if sensing her, he turned back, smiled and tipped his head towards her.  ''Have a lovely evening,'' he said, his tone soft—and yet so very commanding.

''Um, yes…uh…thank you, Sir,'' she said.  His eyes seemed to slide over her from head to toe, his smile barely there, as he gave one nod before opening the door to lead his date out into the evening.

''Liz, is something wrong?'' Jason asked, having returned when he realized she had not followed them to the table.  She seemed frozen and was staring out the front window.  He reached out and laid a hand on her arm.  ''Liz?''

She gave a startled cry and a small jerk as his touch brought her out of her thoughts.  She almost seemed dazed when she turned to him.  ''What?'' she asked, and then immediately shivered.  ''Oh, no, I'm fine, Jason … I'm just a little cold.  I forgot my shawl.'' He smiled, grateful she wasn't feeling ill.

''I'll go get it,'' he said, but she shook her head, one hand on his arm.

''No, I'll get it.  The air will do me good,'' she said.  Before he could stop her, she pushed through the door.  He had no idea why she should need air but watched her for a moment, pulling his key fob from his pocket and pushing the button that would unlock the car door.  Something had spooked her but not in a frightening way.  He sensed that she just needed a moment alone to pull herself together.  He spoke to one of the valets, asking that he keep an eye on Elizabeth until she returned to the restaurant.  The man gladly agreed, having already watched the beautiful woman walk to the corner.  Jason returned to the table, knowing that if she didn't join them soon, he would take her aside and demand she explain what was causing her to act like some fluttery teenager.

Elizabeth took several deep breaths, as she waited for the light to change so she could safely cross the street.  She had no idea what had just happened.  She felt like a fool, like some tongue-tied schoolgirl who had never spoken to a man before.  She wrapped her arms around herself and then groaned.  God, she had forgotten what she was wearing.  The man had probably been comparing her to his model girlfriend, and she was quite sure she knew what end she had come out on.  She crossed the street and opened the back door to the car.  Grabbing her shawl, she wrapped it around her, immediately feeling a sense of comfort.  She crossed the street again and returned to the restaurant but continued walking just past the door.  She looked back to the street, wanting to make sure the interior lights went out in the car to signal that she had locked it.

As she saw them go out, she also saw a long, sleek, black limo pull up to the curb.  She watched as the man and woman from the restaurant stepped forward from where they had been concealed in a small alcove.  Elizabeth stepped back against the wall of the restaurant, feeling a sense of guilt for watching the couple, but totally incapable of tearing her eyes away.  The driver stepped around the car and opened the back door.

The woman was led to the car, the man's hand easily guiding her.  As she began to step into the car, the man bent slightly and spoke to her.  Elizabeth saw the woman's blonde head lift and look around as if searching for something.  Her movements stopped instantly when the man spoke sharply, the blonde head bowing and nodding in response to the man's words.  Elizabeth almost stepped forward, in order to hear his quiet words, instinctively knowing they were meant to chastise his companion, but managed to restrain herself.  She stood frozen, watching as the beautiful woman bent at the waist.  The man moved slightly to her left side, as if to shield her while the car door concealed her on her right.  Elizabeth realized that she could only tell what was happening because she stood in the shadows directly opposite them.  When the woman's hands came back to lift her skirt, Elizabeth felt her stomach clench.  The woman slowly continued lifting her skirt until it was at her waist, her bottom presented.  When she saw the man place his hand on her bottom, Elizabeth didn't realize she was holding her breath.  He bent and again spoke quietly to the woman, who nodded and placed her hands on the edge of the car seat just inside the opened door.  When he drew his hand back and then swatted the woman's proffered bottom, Elizabeth's nipples hardened inside the cups of her bra and her panties moistened.  He swatted the presented bottom twice more, drawing a deep-throated moan from the woman, though she didn't move so much as an inch.  Elizabeth saw the man run his hand between the woman's legs and she felt her own begin to shake.  He then took the skirt out of the woman's hands and lowered it to cover her.  He guided her to step back and then smiled as she spoke too softly for Elizabeth to hear.  He nodded and then helped her into the car.  Elizabeth released her breath as he slid into the car, taking the seat directly opposite of where the woman sat.  Just before the driver closed the door, Elizabeth saw the woman move to kneel between his spread knees.  The driver walked to the other side of the car and slid behind the wheel.  She realized he had not given a single reaction to the scene that had been played out right before his eyes.

As Elizabeth tried to assimilate what she had just seen, she felt someone take her arm.  She shrieked and instinctively tried to pull away.

''Whoa, it's just me, Liz,'' Jason said, surprised at her reaction.  Elizabeth gasped and pressed her hand against her chest.

''God, you scared me,'' she said, shaking with the combination of fear, when Jason had touched her, as well as guilt at witnessing a private moment.  ''Did you see that?'' she asked, as the limo began to pull out into a break in the traffic.  Jason turned to where she was looking.

''Haven't you ever seen a limo before?'' he asked, and then smiled.  She shook her head, not in response, but simply to clear it.  She flushed, pulling her shawl even tighter around her.  She forced herself to relax and smiled.