Chapter Two

A banging noise in Gabby’s head roused her from a deep sleep as she blinked her eyes against the bright sunshine pouring in her room. She’d forgotten to close the drapes again. Unable to settle down after returning home from the meeting, she’d grabbed a book and snuggled under the covers to read. That was at one in the morning. Now as her vision focused on the digital clock on her nightstand, she saw that it was after seven.

“Come on, Gabby, wake up and open the door.” Her best friend’s muffled voice sounded through the front door carrying all the way to her bedroom. Gabby flung the covers and rushed to open it. She didn’t need Angel standing out there making such a ruckus. Next thing she knew, her neighbors would be complaining about the noise.

“I’m coming, I’m coming. Quit making so much damn noise.” She flipped the locks and wrenched the door open to find her petite friend smiling at her.

“Finally. I’ve been banging out here for five minutes, waiting for you to drag your lazy ass out of bed.”

Gabby stepped aside, ushered Angel inside and shut the door behind her. “My lazy ass, huh? This from the woman who left me hanging last night.”

“I know, I know, I’m in so much trouble for that.”

“Trouble? What do you mean?” Gabby stifled a yawn behind her hand.

Angel tossed her purse onto the chair and stalked toward the kitchen, chattering all the way. “Well…I got myself in a bit of a predicament last night with Master and ended up in punishment for the night.”

Gabby laughed at her friend and the sparkle in her eye when she turned back to face her. “I’ll just bet you did. Somehow, you manage to do that more often than not. I can’t believe Jeff hasn’t caught onto your antics yet.”

Angel rolled her eyes. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Uh huh.”

“Anyway, I feel awful for not showing up last night so, as soon as Jeff left for work this morning, I hightailed it over here to check on you.”

“You could have just called.”

Angel reached into the refrigerator and took out the orange juice then grabbed two small glasses from the cabinet. “Yeah, I could have, but would you have answered?”

“Of course, I would have.” Maybe.

“You are such a terrible liar.”

They settled around the kitchen table, and Gabby twirled the glass between her fingers. The events of last night still clouded her mind, and she couldn’t forget how wonderful she’d felt during the demonstration.

“So…are you going to tell me?”

“Tell you what?” She knew where her friend was headed, but she wasn’t ready to share the full extent of what had happened, not even with Angel.

“Come on, Gabby, spill. What did you think of the meeting? How was the demonstration? Did you talk to anyone? Meet anyone interesting?”

“Damn, Angel, slow down.” She shook her head and stood. She had nervous energy to burn, and she needed to do something. Today would be a perfect day to play in her garden. Work she could do later after it grew too hot to be outside.

“It was awkward being there alone. I didn’t want to stay, but when the lights dimmed and the demonstration began, I decided to give it a try. And I can admit I found it very educational.”

“Awesome. I wasn’t sure what you’d think of the violet wand. You’d be surprised how incredible it feels.”

Gabby turned sharply too her friend. “You’ve experienced it?” She held her breath, so curious.

“Yes, I have. Jeff loves to push my limits when he can, and that was one of the things I was most afraid of so he convinced me to try it.”

“And?”

“And it was the most incredible thing I’d ever experienced. It heightened everything. Perception, arousal, all of it. I experienced the most incredible orgasms of my life, and that night realized just how much I really trusted my Master.”

Gabby’s stomach jerked at her friend’s words. She could hear the love and trust in her friend’s voice, and her heart ached for that kind of experience. That kind of need and satisfaction flowing through two people was a rare and precious gift indeed.

“The sub last night was really into it. Her emotional and physical response to the scene was off the charts.” She couldn’t tell her friend how the desire in the room had rushed over and through her until she’d been compelled to touch herself. Just thinking about it now had her panties dampening in desire all over again.

“Who conducted the demonstration last night?”

Gabby hesitated almost afraid to say his name. “Master Thomas,” she whispered.

“Oh my God, really? This is perfect. Gabby, he’s the one I’ve been telling you about. The one who I think would be perfect to introduce you to the lifestyle. He’s a wonderful teacher.”

Gabby nearly joked on her juice. Angel had to be kidding. Either that or she’d lost her mind. Thomas would never be interested in someone inexperienced like her. Besides he’d mentioned a sub last night, and she was definitely not looking to get in the middle of someone else’s relationship or share a Dom with someone else. Baby steps.

“You aren’t really serious?”

“Of course, I am. I wouldn’t joke about something this important. I already talked to him about you last week, and he seemed interested. I had planned to introduce you to him last night.”

Gabby’s stomach cramped painfully. This could not be happening. The one saving grace for her last night was knowing they were complete strangers and would likely never see each other again. She reached for the chair and sat down with a hard thud.

“Gabby, what’s wrong? You’re pale.” Her friend reached out and felt her forehead. “And clammy. Are you sick?”

Only sick of embarrassment. “No, I’m fine. Not enough sleep is all.”

“Well then, back to bed for you, young lady. You can sleep a few more hours and still have plenty of time to get whatever you need done.”

“No, Angel. I’ll be fine.”

“Then at least let me fix you something to eat. That should help.” She hopped from the chair and headed to the fridge for supplies. “Finish up that juice, and I’ll get you some more. And then you can finish telling me about last night.”

Gabby didn’t think she could eat. Her stomach felt like a heavy weight had settled in. “Angel, what did you mean you talked to Thomas about me? What did you say?”

“Oh don’t worry, hon, I didn’t tell him that much. Jeff and I have known him a long time so I kind of know what he likes. Trust me, you are just what he’s looking for.”

“I got the impression last night that he already had a sub.” She spoke quietly and evenly, trying to sound as if it didn’t matter. Because it really didn’t.

“Nope, it’s been at least a year or more since he’s had a regular sub. He comes to the parties and plays here and there, but so far, he hasn’t connected with anyone. It’s as if he’s waiting for something…or someone…” Angel’s voice drifted off in an odd wistful tone that confused Gabby.

“I find that hard to believe.” Her sarcasm caused Angel to swivel and look at her.

“Did something happen you haven’t told me about?”

Gabby cast her eyes downward. “What? Why would you think that?”

Angel walked over and sat down at the table again. “Oh yeah, you’re definitely holding out on me. ‘ Fess up. What happened?”

“Nothing. I told you I watched his demonstration and found it fascinating.”

“The demonstration or him?”

“Both I guess.” She squirmed in her seat, continuing to avoid Angel’s too inquisitive gaze.

“Did he talk to you?” Gabby groaned. Her friend was far too perceptive.

“Yes, for a few minutes after the demonstration right before I left.”

“Well, damn.” Now, Angel sounded disappointed.

“Why? What’s wrong?”

Angel returned to the stove and flipped the sizzling omelet onto a plate and grabbed the bread from the toaster.

“It’s nothing.”

“Now, who’s holding out? Come on, spill it.” Her friend set the plate in front of her and handed her a fork.

“Only if you eat your breakfast.” Leave it to her friend to coerce her with a bribe.

“Fine.” She scooped some of the egg onto her fork and shoveled it into her mouth.

“Thomas is an incredible Master and a very good man.”

“But…”

“No but. I’m serious. He and Jeff have been friends for a very long time, and I’ve gotten to know him well over the years.”

Oh God, please don’t let her tell me she’d played with him, Gabby wasn’t sure she could handle that right now. She didn’t want to jump to that conclusion so she exhaled a slow breath and waited for Angel to tell her the rest. “Go on.”

“I know what you’re thinking, and you couldn’t be more wrong. I don’t play with him.” She paused. “He has a hard time finding serious subs who are willing to serve to his fetish.”

Oh no, this did not sound good. If it had Angel hesitating, she couldn’t imagine she’d be able to handle it at all. “Jeez, Angel, just tell me what it is.”

“He has a thing for setting up scenes that will throw a sub way off balance. He digs to finds their weaknesses then challenges them with what he calls risqué type scenes.”

Gabby drew her brows together not understanding. “I don’t get what you’re trying to say.”

“He gets inside a girl’s head, picks out what her fears are and starts chipping away at those with scenes designed to face them. It’s both intense and exhilarating, but it’s not for everyone. He could explain it much better than I can.”

“Is he a cruel Master?”

“No, not at all, but sometimes, he comes across that way. It really is hard to understand without seeing or experiencing it. One thing I do know is that he is a great Dom, and when he claims the right sub, she will be lucky to be owned by him.”

Gabby ate a few more bites of her food, trying to process what Angel was getting across. One thing didn’t make sense. “Why did you seem disappointed that I’d already talked to him?”

“Another one of his quirks is his first meetings. He’s a little unorthodox with a new girl he’s interested in. I guess you could say he likes to perform a test of sorts so he can find out if she’ll be receptive to his kind of training.”

“What kind of test?” This conversation was getting stranger by the second.

“One designed to see how obedient you are as well as set the tone for the whole relationship.”

“I take it you don’t mean going out for dinner or coffee to chat then.”

Angel laughed and grabbed the used dishes from the table then carried them to the sink. “Not hardly. When he’s ready to get together with a girl for the first time you can bet it will be a situation that will make you squirm.”

“Like what?”

“That’s all I can say. It would be wrong for me to divulge Master Thomas’s activities, and if I thought corner time for hours last night was a rough punishment…. If Jeff found me discussing another Dom like this, I’m certain my ass would hurt for a week.”

Gabby nodded. “Yeah, you’re probably right about that. You’re one lucky woman, you know that?”

“You will be too, Gabby. You just have to get out there and look, unless of course you met him last night.” She winked and headed to the door.

“Where are you going? Leaving already?”

“Yes, Jeff has plans for me at lunch, and I have to go and get ready. Punishing me gets him very worked up and the next day is always well worth every second of discipline.”

Gabby held up her hand to stop her friend. “Don’t tell me. I don’t think I could take it.”

Angel laughed and walked outside. “Don’t worry so much today. We’ll reschedule our get together for another one of the group meetings, and this time, I’ll pick you up so you don’t have to go alone.”

Gabby groaned. After last night, she was in no hurry for a repeat. “Maybe.”

“Just because the thing with Master Thomas didn’t work out like I’d hoped doesn’t mean I’m giving up on helping you. I’ve got plenty of ideas up my sleeve.”

Gabby rolled her eyes.

Angel walked down the sidewalk and hopped into her car. Gabby watched her friend drive off and wondered more about what Angel had not said. She’d chosen her words about Thomas carefully, yet Gabby had heard the conviction in Angel’s voice about what a good man he was.

Oh well, water under the bridge. It didn’t matter anymore. Her behavior at the club hadn’t been appropriate, and she’d never see him again.