Master of My Mind BN (11 page)

“It was no trouble at all. I was more than happy to help
out, any way I can. You’re going through a difficult time. It will get better.
Just take it one day at a time, okay?”

“I’ll do my best, Sir. Thank you,” I softly replied.

Stephen was a gentleman in every sense of the word, from his
gentle smile to his understanding sea foam eyes. What the man saw in Carnation
was beyond me. The girl was a self-absorbed train wreck.

Sidling up against Stephen, Carnation flashed me a tight,
condescending smile. “Master always helps out, even when it screws up our
plans. We got here early last night to be the first to play on my favorite
cross.”

Of course she did. If Carnation wasn’t on display, she
wasn’t happy.

“But Sir Tony asked for Master’s help, and by the time he
got back, the equipment I wanted to scene on was in use. So we had to play in
our private room. At the end of our session, Master was so exhausted he
suggested we spend the night. Now I’m going to be late for work, but that’s how
it goes.”

Accusation came through loud and clear. It was
my
fault she didn’t get her spank and tickle in
front of an audience. Most subs tuned into the sensations their Dominants gave
them during a scene but not her. She’d twist and turn on the cross scanning the
crowd to see who was watching before she’d start to wiggle, moan, and scream as
if auditioning for the lead role in a kink film. The bitch had player written
all over her. God help Stephen. The man needed to open his eyes.
 

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to inconvenience you, Master
Stephen.” I directed my apology straight to his face, ignoring Carnation altogether.

“It wasn’t an inconvenience at all,” he replied with a wave
of his hand. Turning an unhappy expression on Carnation, he scrubbed a hand
through his thick golden hair. “You got your reward. Stop complaining.”

“Oh, I wasn’t complaining at all Master. You took very good
care of me,” Carnation replied in a sickening sultry tone, fluttering her
lashes in an attempt to look innocent.

Gag me.

“Of course you weren’t,” Stephen replied with a sour
expression.

“I just wanted to scene in the dungeon, Master. Is that a
crime?” she asked, pawing at his dress shirt and all but humping his leg.

“Yes, I know you did. But you still haven’t grasped the
concept that submission isn’t about getting your way. You need to stop topping
from the bottom, my pet.” Stephen chastised. His expression conveyed his
displeasure of her antics.

What she needs is a ball gag
shoved in her big fat mouth, Stephen.
I thought to myself as I bit the
insides of my cheeks to keep from smiling.

“If there’s anything you need, Dahlia, please don’t hesitate
to ask.” Stephen brimmed with such genuine kindness I wondered why he kept a
collar around Carnation’s neck. He outclassed her…in every way. The man
deserved a submissive that represented him in a positive light. Someone far
better suited for his sophistication and compassion than that wretched twit.

Shame washed over me for thinking such ugly thoughts. I had
no right to judge their happiness. I’d been on the receiving end of the same
unflattering sentiments I felt toward the two of them. My less than stellar
reputation was the reason a few of the members outwardly questioned my
commitment to the lifestyle. If they were a happy with their relationship, I
had no business criticizing it.

“Yes, Sir.
I understand, and I
appreciate your generous offer.”

“Master has a heart of gold for those who don’t take it for
granted,” Carnation slammed with a sickening grin.

As if on cue, Tony shoved open the back door with his
shoulder as he juggled a tray of Styrofoam cups in one hand and a white paper
bag in the other.

Coffee! Now there’s a real
Saint.

“Excuse me, but I think Tony, Sir, could use some help.” I
flashed him a soft smile as I scurried down the hall.

“Good morning, angel. How’s the head?” Tony grinned. The
anger he’d directed toward me the night before had vanished.

 
“Pounding
like a construction crew working overtime, Sir.
Here, let me help.” I
rescued the wobbling tray of coffees from his hand as I studied his eyes. Not a
hint of irritation lingered. Perplexed but not willing to look a gift horse in
the mouth, I didn’t question his mood. “Now if you’ll kindly pull the knives
out of my back?”

“What happened?
Carnation?”
He
frowned, casting a glance toward the end of the hall.

“It’s nothing. She isn’t happy that Stephen helped you bring
my car back to the club last night. Thank you, by the way.”

“Of course she’s not. The limelight wasn’t shining on her,”
Tony muttered under his breath before raising a hand to give a wave. “Stephen.
Didn’t realize you’d stayed overnight. Good to see you both.”

“Please don’t get her started again,” I whispered
sarcastically.

Tony flashed a mischievous grin and slipped his arm around
my waist as we walked toward the other pair, stopping as we four met in the
middle of the corridor.

“I was so disappointed we didn’t get to watch you and
Destiny scene last night, Master Tony,” Carnation gushed before sticking out
her bottom lip in an exaggerated pout. Her dark eyes roamed over his rugged
body, all but undressing him in front of her equally attractive and muscular
Master.

“I was busy elsewhere,” Tony replied in a cold but polite
tone.

“We’re heading out. I need to get some work done today and
Carnation is late to her job. You two have a good one,” Stephen announced,
extending his hand.

Tony shook it and smiled. “You, too, man. See you tonight.”

I followed Tony to the bar, placing the coffee on the smooth
mahogany surface. When the back door slammed shut, I exhaled a sigh of relief
before hopping onto one of the bar stools. Tony sat next to me, watching me
with a sideways glance.

“So what did she do?”

“What she does best, insult and belittle. I don’t get it.
She’s the second sub in two days who’s given me shit,” I groused. “Carnation
can kiss my happy ass. She’s a waste of good air. But what the hell have I ever
done to Destiny to piss her off?”

“You’re a free sub again, angel. Some women are territorial,
because they’re insecure. Don’t give them the power to hurt you. And I’m not
going to tell you again to watch your mouth. They’re just extending their
claws, insecure that you might steal their Dom.” Tony shrugged as he wiggled
the cups out of the cardboard tray.

“So you’re Destiny’s Dominant?”

“Me? Oh hell, no. She’s a free sub, too.”

“Not in her mind,” I whispered before sipping the dark brew.
“Why would they consider me a threat in the first place? I’m the club brat,
remember?” I smirked.

“You are a brat, but I can fix that.” Tony arched his brows.
“Don’t you remember when Savannah first came here with Nick and Dylan? Some of
the subs were horribly rude to her.”

“Are you serious? I never knew that.” I blew into the cup
before taking another sip.

“Of course you didn’t. She wasn’t a threat, because George
was committed to you.”

Was.
The reminder forced a pang of sorrow deep in my bones.

“I still don’t get it. We’re not in high school anymore.
They need to grow up and get over themselves. I have no intention of hustling
Doms
. And I’m certainly not going to eat
sh
…poop from insecure subs, either.”

“Talk to Savannah; she survived it. Maybe she’ll have a few
pointers for you. Just be respectful and you’ll be fine.”

“I give respect. When it’s given to me,” I challenged,
eyeing the white sacks on the counter.

“Don’t lie to me,
Leagh
, or I’ll
take you over my knee again here, and now.” Tony warned with a sly grin. “But
you enjoyed that didn’t you?”

“We’re not going there,” I rebuffed as I ripped open the
paper bag and plucked out a fat blueberry muffin. My mouth watered as I peeled
the paper away. “You got this from Marcie’s Bakery down the street, didn’t
you?”

Tony nodded, pulled his muffin from the bag, and took a big
bite. “I love these things,” he mumbled with a mouthful.

“Me, too.”
I closed my eyes and bit
into the buttery goodness. The plump, tart fruit exploded over my taste buds
and I moaned in delight.

“Don’t do that,” Tony growled as he took another bite.

“Do what?”

“Moan like that. It turns me on.” He smirked.

“Shut up and eat,” I scoffed, rolling my eyes.

Tony took a sip of coffee, set his cup down, and turned to
face me. “You sure enjoy giving orders, angel. I think you might have a streak
of
Domme
in you.”

“Eat,” I giggled with exasperation.

“Keep it up,
Leagh
. I’d love to
see how high I could make you fly,” Tony needled, as a gleeful twinkle danced
in his eyes.

I sobered and swallowed tightly. “I don’t want to talk about
that yet… or about what happened in your bathroom between us, okay? It’s
confusing. I’m trying to dissect it all, but I need more time. Hell, I don’t
even know if I
can
.”

“When you’re ready, I’m here.” He nodded, placing his broad
hand over mine. “There’s no rush, angel. Take all the time you need.”

“Thank you,” I whispered and took another bite of the
muffin.

“So tell me, what
do you have planned
to do today?” he asked, reaching up to brush a crumb from my lips. His thumb
lingered, and I fought the urge to slid my tongue from between my lips and suck
it inside my mouth.

Something wicked flickered in his eyes, as if he’d read my
mind. When he abruptly moved his hand away, I grabbed my coffee and took a sip,
washing down the lump of desire lodged in my throat.

 
“I’m supposed to meet
with Mika, this morning. He wanted to talk to me about something. After I think
I’ll walk down the street and get a newspaper. I’ve got to find a job.”

“Oh, that reminds me. Last night Mika asked if I would talk
to you. He’s staying home to keep an eye on Julianna. Evidently she’s having
some issues with her pregnancy.”

I nodded, “Braxton-Hicks contractions.”

“They’re freaking him out.” Tony grinned.

“Oh yes, I know,” I laughed.
“Poor man.
What did he want you to talk to me about?”

“He’s offering you a place to stay, here at the club, for as
long as you’d like. Rent free, so you don’t need to worry about paying him a
dime. Trust me; he wouldn’t take it anyway. But he’s concerned that staying in
the room you shared with George is going to be too hard on you… emotionally.
He’d like to modify one of the empty private rooms into a studio apartment.”

“I can’t do that.” I frowned. “I need to get out on my own.”

“He knows that, but until you’re on your feet again, he
needs to do this for George. We both think it would be healthier for you if you
started fresh in a new room, though.” He held up his hand as I opened my mouth
to speak. “Just listen. Living at the club with the constant reminder of George
is going to be hard enough. You don’t need to surround yourself in the space
you shared with him, day in and day out.”

“Maybe I don’t want to throw my memories of him away,” I
argued. George’s scent was getting harder to detect in the blanket, but I still
felt his presence in the room. I didn’t know if I was brave enough to close the
door on all we’d shared so soon.

“Why?” he asked arching a brow.

“Because,” I snipped, jutting out my chin.

“That’s a child’s answer,
Leagh
.
Give me a reason why.”

“Ah, so we’re playing Doctor-patient now?” I quipped. “Because
I’m not ready to let him go, that’s why.”

“Angel, he’s already gone,” Tony acknowledged as he cupped
one hand around my cheek. “I know you miss him. I know you feel lost. But we’re
your safety net now. All of us will do whatever it takes to help you get back
on your feet. You have a lot of life ahead of you. Mika is only trying to help
guide you through your grief as easily as possible.”

“No, he’s trying to push me through it,” I countered with a
huff.

“He and Julianna care very much about you. Mika doesn’t
expect you to make a decision today. Just think about it. But don’t cut off
your nose to spite your face,” Tony replied. Sliding his hand away, he reached
into his shirt pocket. Damn me for wanting to savor his touch a few minutes
more. Handing me a business card, Tony stood. “I need to get ready for work. If
you decide you don’t want to change rooms, text me, and I’ll let Mika know. But
think long and hard before you make a decision. Will you do that for me?”

“Alright,” I sighed.

“Good girl,” he whispered. Leaning down, he kissed my cheek.

Tony’s praise warmed like summer sun, but the touch of his
lips set me on fire. He felt good… too damn good. Inwardly chastising myself
for how easily he charmed my arousal, I quickly focused on all the reasons Tony
was bad for me.

“I’m going to hit the shower and head to work. I won’t be
around much the next couple of days, so stay out of trouble,” he warned. “I’ll
be here at night, but I don’t want other
Doms
coming
to me with complaints.”

“Wow. That hurt.” I grimaced, as I slid from the bar stool.

“You know what I mean. Sit down.” Tony scowled.

“No.” I shook my head and stared into his eyes. “I should be
grateful that you didn’t call me brat, but honestly, your expectation that I’m
going to do disgrace you while your back is turned hurts a lot worse. Don’t
worry, Tony. You won’t get any reports about bad behavior.”

I turned and stormed back to my room as an avalanche of
ineptness thundered through me.