I scoff, “So you get to have me as your plaything for three days and then you just disappear? That doesn’t sound like it’s much of a bet. What’s in it for me?”
Matthew tilts his head, thinking. “If you win–if you aren’t in fact a submissive, then I’ll give you $100,000 for your trouble.” I open my mouth but nothing comes out, and he continues, “But if I win, which I will, and you beg me to keep dominating you, you’ll stay with me for another thirty days. And I’ll get to show you exactly how submissive you are.” His voice drops to a whisper on those last words, so low that it’s like a caress down my spine, and I shiver.
The orgasm and this conversation have sobered me up, and I honestly don’t think I’m so drunk that I’m not thinking clearly, but I don’t see a downside. I’m not submissive, there’s no way that I can lose this bet. It’s like agreeing to have some great sex and then getting a cash bonus. “All right,” I say. “You’re on.”
I hold out my hand and he shakes it, the look on his face nothing but smug. “I look forward to it.” And just like that he turns and walks away, disappearing out the same door we just came through.
Suddenly a hand falls hard on my shoulder, spinning me around. “Are you out of your mind?” It’s Lily, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Did you really just make that bet?”
“Of course I did. I’m not into this, Lil. There’s no way I can lose.”
She doesn’t look convinced. “Are you sure? Matthew is a good guy, and he’s an incredible Dom, but he can be intense.”
“Yeah, I noticed,” I say, laughing.
She shakes her head. “When he asked me what your name was I didn’t know that this was his plan.”
I pull Lily over to a nearby table where we can both sit. “I don’t think it was. He assumed I was a sub and that’s why I went off on him. I’m really sorry that I embarrassed you.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that. I wasn’t embarrassed, just concerned. The last thing I wanted was for something bad to happen to someone at the wedding.”
I’m laughing again, still a little bit drunk, “Trust me, there was nothing bad about what just happened.”
Lily giggles, and then she sighs. “I miss this. I miss you. How did we let it go so long?”
“I don’t know, but we really need to get better at it. When you get back from your honeymoon, we’ll make some plans and actually stick to them.”
“That sounds perfect.”
I pull her into an awkward chair hug. “I hope you know that I really am happy for you. And I hope you get to have lots of kinky sex on your honeymoon.”
“Oh, don’t worry,” she says, giving me a conspiratorial look, “I know that Mark has lots of plans. And speaking of the honeymoon, we’re about to make our exit.”
People are gathering at the other end of the ballroom toward the exit, ready to wave goodbye to the happy couple as they take off for their honeymoon in Bali. “Let’s go send you off then!”
“Are you sure you’ll be all right?” she asks.
“You said he was a good guy, right?”
Lily nods quickly. “He is. Mark is one of his good friends, and I’ve never seen him do anything that would make me think less of him. Every sub I’ve met that’s been with him has said that he’s wonderful.”
“In that case, I’m sure that I’ll be fine.” I loop my arm through hers. “Now let’s get you off on so you can stop worrying about my sex life and focus on your own.”
She grins, and we walk to the other side of the ballroom where Mark is waiting for her. He takes her arm and I watch as they exit the building surrounded by sparklers and confetti. Before they get in the car, Mark dips her back in a heated kiss that makes my chest ache. I’m happy that she’s happy, and I can only hope that someday I’ll have that. And that I’ll find it on my own terms and no one else’s.
Four
Morning comes way too early, and with it comes a pounding headache. If Matthew were here, I’m sure that he would say that he told me so.
I roll over in the hotel bed and glance at the clock. Nine. I’ve got plenty of time, but I want to get on the road home. It’s a couple of hours away and it would be nice to spend part of the weekend relaxing instead of arriving home and going straight to bed for work on Monday.
Dragging myself out from under the covers, I head to the bathroom. There’s a letter on the floor in front of my door like someone slipped it underneath. No idea what that is. I use the bathroom first, and pick up the letter on the way back to spend a few more minutes in bed. But I stop when I see my name on the envelope. The handwriting is neat and efficient and I can think of only one person who would have a letter delivered to my room.