He laced his fingers and leaned forward. “Yes. That’s how it works, Charli. I need you to understand that before we go any further. This is a power exchange, it isn’t ‘let’s play sexy times and get some plastic handcuffs and whipped cream so we feel kinky.’”
“I know that,” she said in a huff. “I guess I’m just having a hard time grasping how…involved this all is.”
“For some people, it’s not that complicated. They may be perfectly happy with those plastic cuffs, and that’s great. But this is a lifestyle for me, my way of being. It’s not something I can punch in and out of. When I’m involved with a woman, even in a temporary capacity, the need to dominate is like a living, breathing thing.”
She held his gaze for a moment, then looked down at her water glass as if needing a second to process what he’d said. “Right.”
“Hey”—he reached across the table and laid a hand over hers—“no one said you have to do this. You can back out now or at any point. I’m not trying to scare you. I just need you to know what this is about, what I’m about.”Author: Roni Loren
She ventured a glance upward. “I’m not scared, not for my safety at least.”
He nodded, pleased to hear that she at least trusted him on some level. He let go of her hand, giving her some space to speak whatever was on her mind.
“There isn’t much that makes me nervous. Hell, ask Max. I’m sure I’ve taken years off his life with my thrill seeking. I’ve skydived, played tackle football with dudes twice my size, been on a roller-derby team. I’ve probably had more concussions and broken bones than many pro athletes.” She gave him a wan smile. “But this is so far outside of my realm, it makes all that stuff look like cake. I look around at the women here, and I feel like I come from a different species.”
“I assure you, you don’t. I checked you out thoroughly the other day.”
“Very funny. I’m just worried I’ll spend these two weeks completely embarrassing myself.” She looked down at her discarded shoes. “I can’t even wear heels without tripping.”
Her bottom lip jutted out in frustration, creating an unintentional pout. He had an urge to sink his teeth into that plump pink flesh. She was so damn cute when she was annoyed. “That only takes a little practice.”
She gave him a yeah, right look. “I’m not even sure why you agreed to do this. There’s obviously no shortage of women around here willing to, uh…service you or whatever. Every time I speak your name it’s like I’ve mentioned some goddamned rock star.”
He snorted.
Amusement lit her eyes. “What? I’m serious. I think some of the girls are planning to make I Heart Grant T-shirts.”
She drew a heart shape in the air between them, while batting her eyelashes in an overexaggerated imitation of his so-called admirers.
He smirked, loving that she had no filter. Thought to mouth. He wondered if that’s the real reason her bosses were reluctant to put her on the air. Nothing like live TV and someone who isn’t afraid to say exactly what’s on her mind. Could be disastrous.
It was going to get her in trouble as his sub as well, but he couldn’t help looking forward to administering the fun consequences. “First of all, you wouldn’t be servicing me, you’d be subbing for me. Different animal. This isn’t prostitution. Both parties get equal benefit in this arrangement.”
“Right. So I get the benefit of earning the right to service you?” she said, her sarcasm about as subtle as a tractor-trailer.
The waiter stopped by the booth and upon hearing Charli’s words, simply laid down the escargot appetizer, gave Grant a new drink, and disappeared.
Grant took a sip of his club soda, amused. “That is a great benefit, but no. What you get is, well, that can be different for each person. Most subs would say they find freedom in the role.”
She eyed the appetizer and frowned. “Freedom? By being someone else’s slave?”
“Being a slave in this world is a bit different that what we’re doing. Though I know slaves here who would say they’ve never felt free until they found their master.” He grabbed one of the tiny forks and put a snail on a toast point, making sure to get lots of garlic butter sauce with it. He held it out to Charli, who took it reluctantly, then made a matching bite for himself. “But you never wonder what it’d be like to have a true break from everyday life? To not have to make any decisions or pretend to be something you’re not? To wake up and know that all you have to do that day is let someone else take care of anything you may need?”
She sniffed the toast, examining it. “I’m thinking I could accomplish that with a trip to Barbados and an attentive waiter.”
He laughed. “Yes, but could that waiter teach you how to wow those horseshit-for-brains bosses of yours with your feminine charm?”
She popped the escargot into her mouth and mumbled “no” whilst chewing.
“Don’t talk with your mouth full.” He took his own bite and watched the flare of rebellion flicker over her expression. He lifted an eyebrow, daring her to challenge him, but to her credit she held back her natural instinct to lash out.
Her eyes narrowed as she took a sip of water. “That wasn’t a mushroom, was it?”
“Snail.”
She winced. “Fabulous. Maybe a warning next time, cowboy.”
“You could’ve asked me what it was. Did you like it?”