by Ivy Nelson
The older woman cleared her throat. “I like Mr. Sutton. I’m not sure how comfortable I am with this sort of thing though.”
Austin knew it could be overwhelming to have to answer probing questions from a lawyer, but Patrick and Lydia had worked together for a long time. She had reason to believe the woman would be a great character witness.
“What kind of witness are you looking for? I have no real knowledge of the case, but I do want to help.”
“That’s fine. I’m looking for character witnesses.”
She could hear Lydia shuffling pages. “I can probably do that. Would talking to some of his former employees and such help? I can get you a list of some people.”
“That would be wonderful, Lydia.”
By the time she ended the call, she had an interview scheduled and an email with a list of names and numbers of people she could talk to.
Setting her smaller list aside, she decided to work from Lydia’s list next.
“Hello,” a feminine voice answered in a sing-song voice.
“Hi. Um hello. I’m calling to ask how well you know Patrick Sutton.”
The woman laughed. “Well, I guess that depends on what you mean by know. I worked for him. Then I slept with him, and now I can’t stand him. I heard he stole a diamond or something. You a reporter?”
Austin cringed. Stacey was definitely not going to be helpful.
“Something like that,” Austin said, scratching her name off the list. “Thanks for your time.”
She ended the call and moved on to the next. Three phone calls later, she was realizing just how much of a player Patrick was.
With a sigh, she pushed the list aside and dialed Holly’s work number.
“Elijah Barrett’s office, Holly speaking.”
“Hey there, future Mrs. Barrett, it’s Austin.”
“Hey, you, what’s going on?”
Austin took a deep breath. “When was the last time Patrick had a serious girlfriend?”
Holly was quiet for a minute. “I’ll be honest, I’m not sure. Elijah would probably know better than I would. I didn’t exactly keep tabs on his love life after he left home. Why do you ask?”
Austin closed her eyes. “Am I about to get my heart broken, Holly?”
“Woah, what happened?”
She spilled her guts about having talked to at least four of Patrick’s exes.
Holly blew out a breath and said, “Ahh. Yes, he’s been known to be a player. But I’ll tell you this, he’s never been attached to any of the house submissive’s he’s trained like he is to you.”
“So, I’m just supposed to believe that I’m different from the rest somehow? I don’t know if I believe in that?”
Holly chuckled. “I certainly think you’re special. Forgive me hon, but I feel like this is a conversation you should be having with my brother, not me.”
Austin sighed. “Yes, I just wanted an outside perspective before I dumped all my insecurities on him. He’s got a lot on his plate right now. I don’t want to freak him out.”
“Aww sweetie, your insecurities are completely valid, and you should definitely talk to him.”
“You’re right. I should. Thanks, Holly. See you soon.”
When she finished the call, she gave herself a mental pep-talk and went back to her list. Luckily, there were no more ex-girlfriends in the mix, and she was able to get through the list without jealousy and fear rearing their ugly heads.
When she was done for the day she went home and poured herself a glass of wine before she settled in to call Patrick.”
“Hey, baby girl,” Patrick said when he answered.
“Hi,” she murmured, sipping her wine. “How was your day?”
“Long but good. Got to have a nice visit with David and Emily.”
“Oh, that’s awesome,” she said, picking at the fringe on her throw pillow.
“What’s wrong?” Patrick asked.
“What makes you think something is wrong?” she asked, surprised at how quickly he read her.
“I can hear it in your voice.”
Cannot,” she said.
He laughed. “Arguing with your Dom? Feeling brave because I’m three thousand miles away?”
Austin giggled, setting her wine glass aside. “Maybe. What really makes you think something is wrong?”
“I can seriously hear it in your voice… but my sister might have called me.”
“Little snitch,” Austin teased.
“Why would you call her before me?” he asked, his tone almost sounding hurt.
“Sometimes a girl just needs to talk to another girl.”
Sirens went by as she waited for him to respond. “She didn’t tell me what was wrong. Just said something was bothering you and I should talk to you.”
Austin laughed. “It’s dumb, really.”
“Nothing about you is dumb. I take our relationship seriously.”
Austin sighed. “I think that’s just it. I talked to four women today who thought you took them seriously too and now… let’s just say I won’t be calling them as character witnesses.”
Patrick was quiet for a long time. “I’m sorry, Austin. I knew you were going to start talking to people. I didn’t know that would include old girlfriends, if you could even call them that.”
“That right there is exactly what has me spooked. In eight weeks, whenever this house submissive training is over, where am I going to stand with you?”
“I prefer you kneeling anyway,” he teased.
“I’m serious, Patrick. I’m putting a lot into this, and I don’t want to get hurt because I got too attached to you. If I need to lower my expectations, tell me now.”
Patrick sighed. “Baby girl, you’re not going to get hurt. I know you have nothing to base your trust on, but I swear this is different for me. You’re different for me. I’ve never asked a sub to wear my bracelet outside the club. I’ve certainly never gone home with them. The women you talked to today were flings I had. Yes, I admit, I’m a flirt and I was a player, but now, I’ve only got eyes for you.”
Austin curled into a tighter ball on her couch. “OK. I’ll try not to freak out then.”
“Good girl. And from now on, don’t be afraid to come to me if you feel like you are freaking out or if I’m stepping on one of your insecurities, understand?”
“Yes, Sir,” she whispered.
“Ahh baby girl. I’m sorry you’ve been walking around with this all day. I’ll make it up to you this weekend.”
Austin smiled as she thought of spending another weekend with him. “What does this weekend’s training involve?”
“For the club, you’ll shadow Russell to learn how to be an effective dungeon monitor. With me, I think I might finally claim your ass. What do you think of that?”
Austin swallowed. “I think I like it very much, Sir.”
“And to think, it was one of your soft limits when we first started this a couple of weeks ago.”
Austin squirmed as he talked, arousal overtaking her. She couldn’t help the whimper that escaped.
“What was that, baby girl? Are you getting horny thinking about me fucking your ass?”
“Fuck,” she murmured. “If I wasn’t before, I am now. I’m fighting the urge to masturbate.”
Patrick gave a low growl. “You better keep fighting it.”
“Yes, Sir,” she said.
“Why is that, baby girl?”
“Because my pussy is yours,” she said, proud of herself for how easy it was to say.
Patrick purred in her ear. “Good girl. If you continue being so good, I might let you play with yourself before bed. With me listening, of course.”
She giggled. “I’ll be as good as I can then, Sir.”
Patrick chuckled. “So other than being confronted with my slutty ways, how was your day?”
Austin picked up her wine glass and drank. “I spent most of it on the phone. There were a few people I couldn’t get in touch with though. Tim
Reyes is at the top of my list. If you talk to him can you ask him to call me?”
“Of course. He’s in New York right now. Should I set up a meeting?”
Austin pulled the throw blanket off the back of her couch and covered her legs. “You don’t have to do that but do ask him to call me.” She paused. “Speaking of calls, I made the phone call,” she said as casually as she could manage. “I’m touring the office space tomorrow.”
He was quiet for a moment. Pride filled his voice when he spoke. “I’m so happy for you, baby girl. Let me know if you need any help to speed things along.”
“You mean, let you know if I need you to throw money around?”
Patrick laughed. “You make it sound terrible.”
Austin sighed. “Not terrible, just not what I’m used to. Anyway, I think the only thing I’ll need help with is speeding along things like the business license, and I’ll let you do that if it makes you happy. I’m going over my contract with Thorley and Associates to make sure I won’t run into any issues with the non-compete clause.”
They talked late into the night while Austin drank wine. Silly banter dominated most of their conversation, but things turned serious a few times as they discussed his impending trial. She knew it was hard for him living with this cloud over her head.
As the night wore on, she felt the wine making her sleepy, and she yawned.
Patrick said, “Be a good girl now and hang up and take off your clothes. It’s time to get ready for bed. Call me back when you’re under the blankets and ready to do as your told.”
Austin felt her pulse speed up. She hadn’t masturbated since the night before Patrick put his bracelet on her—a record for her.
“Yes, Sir,” she murmured, standing and heading toward the bedroom. Ending the call, she went to her bathroom and brushed her teeth, took off her makeup, and stripped out of the lounge pants and t-shirt she had put on when she got home. When she dialed his number again, she was beneath the fluffy comforter on her bed.
“Are you naked?”
“Yes, Sir,” she said, a smile playing at her lips.
“And you’ve been good and kept your hands off your wet little cunt?”
“Yes, Sir,” she repeated, her voice growing husky.
“Good girl. I’m going to read you a bed-time story, and you’re going to finger yourself. Just make sure you ask before you come, understood?”
“Thank you, Sir,” she said, feeling breathless as she let a hand drift to her pubic bone and hover there until his voice came through the speaker again.
The story he read was a piece of spanking erotica. Listening to his sexy voice reading those dirty words fueled her need and she fell into a nice rhythm soon after he began. As he read the story of a girl being punished for masturbating without permission of all things, Austin felt the pressure between her thighs grow. When he came to a natural pause in the story, she cried out, “Please may I come, Sir?”
Patrick didn’t respond right away, and she begged again. Instead of giving her a yes or a no, he continued reading the story, leaving her without an answer.
She slowed her fingers, not wanting to disobey him, and knowing that if she held back, the orgasm would be even more intense when he finally let her have her pleasure. She silently prayed he wasn’t planning to deny her.
As he got closer to the climax of the story, she begged him again. This time he said, “Not yet, baby girl. I need to finish the story first. Keep rubbing that clit for me.”
She whimpered her frustration but flicked at her clit once more with gentle strokes. Soon it was unbearable.
“Please,” she whimpered.
“The End,” Patrick said. “Come for me.”
Austin writhed beneath her blanket as the orgasm rolled through her, and she cried out her pleasure.
When the tremors stopped, she whispered, “That was really hot. Thank you.”
Patrick chuckled. “You’re very welcome. Next time, I’m going to make you tell me a story while you play.”
Austin whimpered at the thought of having to talk that dirty.
“You’re safe for tonight,” he said. “I’m going to hang up now. Go to sleep, baby girl.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Wednesday morning, Austin stood in the middle of an empty room imagining what it would look like as her office.
“Can I answer any questions for you, Miss Yates?” the property manager asked.
Austin turned and offered her a pleasant smile. “I think you’ve answered everything, Linda. I’m definitely interested. I’ll get back to you as soon as I know if I want it. There are just a few more puzzle pieces I have to put into place first.”
Linda shook her hand, and together, they walked out into the hallway.
“I really hope you decide you want it,” the woman said, patting her shoulder.
Austin couldn’t help but feel excited about the prospect of striking out on her own. Thorley and Associates had a non-compete clause, but since Austin specialized in contract law, she knew she had a good chance of arguing her way out of it. They were difficult to enforce in most states due to a client’s right to choose their attorney.
It felt good to believe in herself again. The people she had surrounded herself with convinced her she could do this, but most of all, she’d finally convinced herself. Now, she just had to come up with an exit strategy that wouldn’t compromise any of her ongoing cases. The law required that Thorley let her continue representing those who chose to stick with her, they just had to be given ample notice of her move to a new firm.
With a spring in her step, she walked down the sidewalk in the New York air to grab a coffee before heading back to work. There was a text from Patrick waiting for her when she checked her phone.
Did you like the space?
She smiled. He had a lot on his plate, but he still took the time to check in with her.
I loved it. I’m still weighing all my options, but I think I’m leaning towards yes.
He didn’t respond right away, and she tucked the phone in her bag and hailed a cab with her coffee in hand.
As she rode the short distance to her office, she thought about all the people who had expressed their faith in her over the past few weeks. It felt good to be surrounded by such a wonderful group of friends, but she still had a hard time believing in herself.
When she stepped out of the elevator onto her floor a half hour later, she bumped into Jack Desmond. Seeing the disdain with which he looked at her made her realize she didn’t need to weigh anymore options. Thorley and Associates wasn’t the place for her anymore. She would draft her resignation later this afternoon and be done with this place. There would be a lot of paperwork and clients to notify. Others she wouldn’t be allowed to notify because they belonged to the firm. She worried that David Eastman would fall into that category, and she wasn’t sure how to handle that since they were friends before she was his attorney.
After drafting her resignation letter, she spent the afternoon on the phone with a representative from the American Bar Association getting guidance on the best way to handle everything.
“My only worry, Miss Yates, is that you’re attempting to leave rather abruptly. Is there a reason you don’t want to take your time to formulate an exit strategy?”
She sucked in a deep breath. “It’s all personal reasons. An opportunity to start my own firm has presented itself, and I’ve always known I would outgrow Thorley and Associates.”
The representative cleared her throat. “I’m looking at the statistics for the firm, and I don’t want to imply anything, but does your gender have something to do with why you’re leaving?”
You mean because Chadwick Thorley and his partners are sexist pigs? She didn’t say that out loud though. Instead she said, “I am concerned with the lack of female representation at this firm but don’t feel I’m in a position to change it. What I can do, is vow to do better at my own firm. I’ve been paid fairly here, and there are no ethics vi
olations to report, if that’s what you’re asking.”
The woman laughed. “I’m not asking anything, Miss Yates, just trying to get a clear picture so I know how best to advise you. From the sounds of it, you’re doing everything right.”
“What do I do about the account that belongs to the firm. I know the company will want to retain me, but ABA standards prevent me from contacting them to let them know I’m leaving since their account is with the firm and not me directly.”
“If this is a friend, there’s little you can do about the fact that they have your personal cell phone. I would advise you to tell your friend that they should wait at least six months to transfer unless they become unhappy with the work the firm is doing for them in your absence. At that point, they would be welcome to seek new council.”
That was what she thought they would say. She knew David Eastman was fair and would play by the rules but would likely be unhappy with anyone but her. Though he did retain a number of attorneys for his company and didn’t use her much anymore she just hated the idea of leaving his account with Thorley.
She thanked the woman and ended the call.
As she was typing her resignation letter, her desk phone rang. It was the DA’s office.
“Miss Yates, we have you on file as the council of record for Patrick Sutton, is that still the case?”
“It is,” she confirmed, sitting up straighter at the mention of Patrick’s name. “What can I help you with?”
“We would love to sit down and chat with your client and potentially offer him a plea bargain. Can we set that up?”
Austin gave a low whistle. “I don’t think Mr. Sutton is interested in a plea deal. We maintain his not guilty plea. But if you can tell me what you’re offering, I’ll pass it along to my client and see if he’s willing to talk.”
“We would really like to spell out the offer face to face, Miss Yates, is that something you can arrange?”
