The_Submissive - Tara Sue Me

Nathaniel West lives by a set of exacting rules. From his boardroom, where he reigns as CEO, to his bedroom, where he dominates as Master, he believes life is better when expectations are well defined, followed, and enforced.

Abby King isn’t looking to break any rules. She only wants to make her fantasy a reality. So when Nathaniel collars her, she believes she’s accomplished the first step. And, indeed under his control, she at last finds contentment.

But contentment isn’t enough. When feelings grow beyond their agreement of heeded commands and shared pleasure, Nathaniel and Abby realize the truth. The heart never plays by the rules and love is the most extreme fantasy of all.

A sensation online and in print for the first time,
The Submissive
is the first book of a trilogy which has attracted more than 8.5 million reads and inspired an entire fandom. The original BDSM phenomenon,
The Submissive
is a sensual journey of acceptance, forgiveness, and love.

Originally posted online, its captivating characters and intriguing storyline made
The Submissive
a reader favorite. Before being reworked for a broader audience, it garnered almost three million hits and inspired an entire fandom. The original BDSM phenomenon,
The Submissive
is part one of three in a sensual journey of acceptance, forgiveness, and love.

THE
SUBMISSIVE

TARA SUE ME

First published by Red Publishing in 2012

Copyright © Tara Sue Me 2012

The exclusive rights to publish this work are owned by Red Publishing. No part of this work may be reproduced, copied, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission of Red Publishing. All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Red Publishing
GPO Box 7826
Sydney NSW 2001

[email protected]

Cataloging-in-Publication details are available
from the National Library of Australia
www.trove.nla.gov.au

ISBN 978 0 98743 680 1
ISBN 978 0 98743 681 8 (ebook)

Cover and internal design by Sandy Cull, gogoGinkgo

To MsKathy,
I’m forever grateful for the gift of your friendship

AND

To Mr. Sue Me,
thank you for unwavering support and for never saying,
“You wrote
what
?
”

CHAPTER
ONE

“Ms. King,” the receptionist said. “Mr. West will see you now.”

I stood, wondered for the twenty-fifth time what I was doing, and went to open the door leading to the office I’d traveled across town to enter. On the other side was my darkest fantasy and by stepping inside I’d be making it a reality.

I was proud of the fact my hands didn’t shake as the door opened and I walked into his office.

Step one: done.

Nathaniel West sat at a large mahogany desk, typing on a computer. He didn’t look up or slow his strokes. I might as well not even have entered, but I dropped my eyes just in case.

I stood still while I waited. Face looking at the floor, hands to my sides, feet spread to the exact width of my shoulders.

Outside the sun had set, but the lamp on Nathaniel’s desk gave a muted light.

Had it been ten minutes? Twenty?

He was still typing.

I counted my breaths. My heart finally slowed from the rocket speed it’d been racing at before I entered the office.

Another ten minutes passed.

Or maybe thirty.

He stopped typing.

“Abigail King,” he said.

I started slightly, but kept my head down.

Step two: done.

I heard him pick up a stack of papers and tap them into a pile. Ridiculous. From what I knew of Nathaniel West, they would have already been in a neat pile. It was another test.

He pushed his chair back, wheels rolling over the hardwood floor the only sound in the quiet room. He walked with measured, even steps until I felt him behind me.

A hand lifted my hair away from my neck and warm breath tickled my ear. “You have no references.”

No, I didn’t. Just a crazy fantasy. Should I tell him? No. I should remain silent. My heart beat faster.

“I would have you know,” he continued, “that I’m not interested in training a submissive. My submissives have always been fully trained.”

Crazy. I was crazy to be here. But it was what I wanted. To be under a man’s control.

No. Not any man.
This
man’s control.

“Are you sure this is what you want, Abigail?” He wrapped my hair around his fist and gave a gentle tug. “You need to be sure.”

My throat was dry and I was fairly certain he heard my heart beating, but I stood where I was.

He chuckled and returned to his desk.

“Look at me, Abigail.”

I’d seen his picture before. Everyone knew Nathaniel West, owner and CEO of West Industries.

The pictures didn’t do the man justice. His skin was lightly tanned and set off the deep green of his eyes. His thick dark hair begged you to run your fingers through it. To grab on it and pull his lips to your own.

His fingers tapped rhythmically on his desk. Long, strong fingers. I felt my knees go weak just thinking about what those fingers could do.

Across from me, Nathaniel gave the faintest of smiles and I made myself remember where I was. And why.

He spoke again. “I’m not interested in why you decided to submit your application. If I select you, and you are agreeable to my terms, your past won’t matter.” He picked up the papers I recognized as my application and ruffled through them. “I know what I need to.”

I recalled filling out the application—the checklists, the blood tests he’d required, the confirmation of the birth control I was on. Likewise, before today’s meeting, I’d been sent his information for review. I knew his blood type, his test results, his hard limits, and the things he enjoyed doing with, and to, play partners.

We stood in silence for several long minutes.

“You have no training,” he said. “But you’re very good.”

Silence again as he stood and walked to the large window behind his desk. It was completely dark and I saw his reflection in the glass. Our eyes met and I looked down.

“I rather like you, Abigail King. Although I don’t recall telling you to look away.”

I hoped I hadn’t messed up beyond redemption and looked back up.

“Yes, I think a weekend test is in order.” He turned from the window and loosened his tie. “If you agree, you will come to my estate this Friday night at six exactly. I’ll have a car pick you up. We’ll have dinner and take it from there.”

He placed his tie on the couch to his right and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. “I have certain expectations of my submissives. You are to get at least eight hours of sleep every Sunday through Thursday night. You will eat a balanced diet—I will have a meal plan emailed to you. You will also run one mile, three times a week. Twice a week you will engage in strength and endurance training at my gym. A membership will be created for you starting tomorrow. Do you have any concerns about any of this?”

Another test. I didn’t say anything.

He smiled. “You may speak freely.”

Finally. I licked my lips. “I’m not the most…athletic, Mr. West. I’m not much of a runner.”

“You must learn not to let your weakness rule you, Abigail.” He walked to his desk and wrote something down. “Three times a week you will also attend yoga classes. They have these at the gym. Anything else?”

I shook my head.

“Very well. I will see you Friday night.” He held out some papers to me. “These will have everything you need to know.”

I took the papers. And waited.

He smiled again. “You are excused.”

CHAPTER
TWO

The door to the apartment next to mine opened as I walked by. My best friend, Felicia Kelly, stepped out into the hallway. Felicia and I had been friends forever, having grown up together in the same small Indiana town. Throughout elementary and middle school we sat side by side, thanks to the alphabetical seating arrangements. After high school graduation, we attended the same college in New York, where we quickly learned that if we wanted to remain best friends, we should live as neighbors and not roommates.

Though I loved her like the sister I’d never had, she could at times be bossy and overbearing. Likewise, my need for regular quiet time drove her mad. And, apparently, so had my meeting with Nathaniel.

“Abby King!” Her hands were on her hips. “Did you have your phone off? You went to see that West guy, didn’t you?”

I just smiled at her.

“Honestly, Abby,” she said. “I don’t know why I even bother.”