by Mary Smith
“Are you having a bad day?” he asked quizzically.
“The correct question you should have asked was are you having a bad life?”
Donnie stared at her for several seconds before saying, “I apologize again for bothering you. Have a good night.” He gave her a nod and turned away toward the door.
Mikayla felt bad for being a bitch, although it was part of her personality. “Wait,” she called after him.
He turned to face her.
“I’m just having a bad couple of days. Would you like to join me?” She almost felt compelled to invite him to sit down with her.
“Thank you.” He came back to the table and took the seat across from her. “I hate to hear you’re having a bad day.”
“I guess I should be used to it now.” She picked up a chip but had no desire to eat it.
“People have bad days. Everyone. However, I doubt it’s that bad.”
She heard the laughter in his tone. Unsure how to take his remark, she said nothing.
“Tell me about it,” he said pulling his sub from the bag. “I’m sure I can top it.”
She opened her mouth, ready to tell him everything, but she stopped. This was a personal issue, and he still had stranger status in her book.
“Family issues,” she simply replied as she ate a chip.
“Oh.” He chuckled. “I can definitely top you.”
“Really? How so?” Doubt filled her that any of his first world problems could even hold a candle to hers.
“I lost six million dollars of my father’s money today.”
Mikayla began to choke on her chip. “Excuse me?”
“I convinced my father to invest in this great project. It did great for about a year, then it all tanked today,” he explained calmer than she felt, and it wasn’t her money.
“And what did your father say?” She couldn’t even imagine having a conversation with anyone, especially a parent.
“Oh, I’m not going to tell him.” His nonchalant tone made her mouth drop.
“You…you’re not going to tell him?” Obviously, he didn’t mean it, right?
“He’s rich. Losing a few bucks is no big deal.” He went back to his sandwich.
“A few bucks?” she repeated in disbelief. “I lose five dollars and I’m ready to go to bankruptcy court.
He laughed not understanding she wasn’t kidding. “You obviously don’t know who my father is.”
“Bill Gates?” She snarked at him.
“My father is Governor Donald Burns the second.”
Sitting back in her chair, she studied his face, trying to figure out if he was serious. But she knew he told the truth. She just never put his name and the Governor’s name together.
“He’s a billionaire.” Mikayla remembered hearing that in some interview. He was right up there with Bill Gates.
“Yep. Six million is really nothing to him.”
Mikayla had been around numerous millionaires in her time. All who played hockey but none of them acted as if they were better than anyone else. In fact, they were some of the hardest working people she knew. However, sitting across from Donnie, his arrogance made her feel dirty. Six million dollars was life-changing money for the mass majority of people. He acted as if he dropped a quarter on the ground and walked away.
Donnie continued to talk about whatever he wanted, but she stopped listening. She’d always prided herself on never judging anyone on anything but their character. This guy was someone Mikayla didn’t want to be around.
“Listen.” She cut off his extremely boring story. “I have to get going, but…um…have a great night.” Truthfully, she wanted to tell him to get lost. Any other time she would have. The only reason she held her tongue was because she didn’t want any trouble from the Governor’s son.
“Oh, sure.” He seemed confused by her abrupt departure.
Before he said anything else, she had already left the building and was in the driver’s seat of her car. Not realizing how tense she’d been, her entire body relaxed. Again, something told her to stay away from him. Or at least remain in highly public areas.
Mikayla wiped the tables and put up the chairs. She missed working with Elexis on the closing shift. However, she was thankful to be working tonight. Her phone had become a nuisance and she needed a reprieve. Shade, Jarvis, and even Donnie texted her constantly. None of which she answered.
Tonight, she needed to be alone. Well, not exactly alone, but she needed some release. And knew exactly where to go.
After locking up, Mikayla rushed to her car and sped home. Taking a quick shower to wash away the smell of coffee from her skin, she hurried to do her makeup, sliding her legs into a pair of black silk, skin-tight pants, and a low-cut hot pink tank top. She paired her outfit with a pair of pink high heels.
When she arrived at her destination, her heart raced. Not from nervousness but excitement. She hadn’t been here in a long time but knew she’d still be welcome.
Knocking on the door, she gave the password and the door opened. Pushing her shoulders back, she confidently walked in. She felt comfortable here. No one passed judgment. The smiles, laughter, and overall giddiness were all genuine.
“Where is she?” she asked the doorman.
“Upstairs,” he answered.
Mikayla began to ascend the stairs when she heard someone say, “Miss Kay.”
Turning to her name which was only used by people who knew her in this circle was Jerriod coming toward her on the staircase.
“What are you doing in New Hampshire?” She gasped, hugging him.
“I’m here for the next week on business. Mistress Gem sent me over here.”
Mistress Gem had been one of the firsts to teach Mikayla all her tricks. The Club, as it was known, was where she met Jerriod.
“I’m happy to see you.” Mikayla released him.
“Is this your spot?” he inquired.
“Actually.” She lowered her tone. “I haven’t been here in quite some time,” she confessed.
“Really?” His shocked expression couldn’t be hidden.
“Strange, right?” She smirked.
“Are you going to have a room tonight?” He cast his eyes down like a trained submissive.
“I’ll let you know.” She touched his shoulder before turning and jogging up the rest of the stairs.
She made her way to the main room at the end of the hall. Trying to remember the last time she’d been in this room, she realized it had to be almost three months ago. Knocking on the door, Mikayla waited to enter.
When the door opened, there stood a stunning woman. Long blonde hair, which was obviously dyed and one of the best dye jobs in town. Her makeup was always flawless and looked like something off a YouTube Tutorial. Even though she had to be in her forties, Lakota, the owner of Passions and a dominatrix, hardly looked a day over thirty.
“My Mikayla.” She held out her arms and Mikayla easily walked into a hug.
Society had painted BDSM woman as wearing all leather and cracking a whip at any passing person, but Lakota was the opposite. When their embrace ended, Lakota led the way to the perfect white couch. She was of average height and thin frame who would make any man believe he could handle her. In truth, she made men fall to their knees with a snap of her manicured fingers.
“It’s been too long, Mikayla.” Lakota sat in the middle of the couch.
“Yes, I apologize. I’ve been sidetracked.” Mikayla placed herself in the chair across from her.
“Oh, sweet child. There’s no need for you to apologize. My assumption is you’ve found someone. Maybe the someone we spoke of before?” She smiled.
She sighed. Lakota has always been easy to talk to. She might be able to whip any man into submission, but she had a motherly side to her. Mikayla spilled all the details about what’s happened to her. Especially in the past year with Jarvis. Tension had been weighing heavily on Mikayla’s shoulder. The more she talked the more the tension seemed to ease.
>
“Jarvis told you he enjoys strikes.”
She couldn’t be sure, but she thought Lakota was pleased to hear this.
“Yes, but I never told him about me.”
“Why?” Lakota inquired.
“Honestly, I think he’s full of shit.”
The comment made them both giggle.
“My dear Kay.” Lakota sighed. “There’s so much of you that reminds me of myself. You’re bright, driven, and can weld a cane better than any full dominatrix.”
“I feel a ‘but’ coming,” she commented.
“But you only dip your toes into this pond and it’s okay.”
Shrugging, Mikayla asked, “Is there a point?”
“Be yourself. If you love Jarvis, as you say, then you need to be yourself.”
Diverting her eyes so Lakota would not see them welling up with tears, she blinked hard. “I’m not sure who I am anymore.”
“Come sit by me.” Lakota gently ordered, and she did without question. “You’re twenty-four. Still young. Nonetheless, you know who you are. You hide here for no reason.”
She took Mikayla’s hand into hers. They sat together for several seconds in silence.
“May I please have a room tonight?” She’d already booked one, but she wanted to make sure she had Lakota’s permission.
“Do you have someone in mind?”
She then explained her relationship with Jerriod.
“I’ll call him up. Your items are still in your locker.” She stood and Mikayla did the same. They hugged for a brief second. When they released, Lakota said, “I’ll have him waiting for you in room two.”
“Thank you.” She began to go to the fourth floor of the massive mansion.
The only people allowed there were the dominatrix. The entire floor was a high-end locker room. Large lockers lined the far left wall. Mikayla went to her locker, pushed in the combination and pulled it open. Inside was three canes made of the finest woods but still light to handle, which gave the best crack against the skin. Then she picked up the belt. Running her hands over the leather, she felt powerful.
She felt like herself.
Lakota’s words hit her like a car hitting a light pole. The crashing sound rang in her ears. She needed to grow up. She needed to be herself. Mikayla’s strong personality put people off, but she wasn’t a bitch as some would think. Deep down, she wanted to be loved. Like Shade loved Jenessa. She craved her sister’s approval. No, she didn’t have to have it, but a word of praise would mean the world to her at the moment.
Above all, she wanted Jarvis but wouldn’t allow her heart to be crushed. He might be opening up to her, but it didn’t condone his prior behavior.
Mikayla tightened her grip around the belt, and then she shut the door of her locker. She went back down to the second floor and opened the door for room two. Jerriod’s tall frame sat on the edge of the queen-size bed. His dark auburn hair shone under the overhead lights. One would never mistake Jerriod for a bodybuilder. His thin frame screamed ‘nerd’. Albeit, he had a large heart. She knew he’d been a submissive to a dominatrix for numerous years. Before they parted ways in Maine, she called him a ‘born submissive’.
“Miss Kay.” He stood but kept his head down.
“Do you want to be on the cross tonight?”
Glancing at the St. Andrew’s Cross, he thought for a second. “Would it be okay just to lay on the bed tonight? Please, Miss Kay.”
“That’s fine.” She quickly changed her tone to begin the scene. “Stand. Strip.”
Jerriod did as he was commanded and tugged off his clothes. Once he was done, he waited for the next order.
“Lay face down,” she said. “Safe word?”
“Broccoli.” His voice cracked.
Mikayla secured his hands and feet to the ties on the bed. Picking her belt back up, she inspected it. The leather felt cool to the touch. Her heart raced seeing Jerriod’s back, ass, and bare legs. Taking a slow deep breath, she released the excess amount of air as the first strike cracked across his ass. Jerriod moaned, burying his face in the bed. Mikayla knew many dominatrix who would tell their submissive to be quiet and not to move. She was different. The sounds turned her on and watching them squirm had the same effect.
Watching Jerriod, she struck him a couple more times on his ass. The red outline of the belt became visible on his pale skin. She stared at them for several seconds as if it were a piece of art. The next set of strikes connected across his shoulders and back. His skin instantly turned to a luscious pink. She felt the wetness on her thong as she unleashed on his upper thighs. Jerriod yelled out, pulling at the ties.
She let him enjoy the stinging on his skin before the belt cracked against his ass again. She didn’t let up and whacked his shoulder and then his legs again. Knowing Jerriod as well as she did, he was pleased and couldn’t handle much more. Jerriod never went into subspace like many others did. He enjoyed the pain as much as she loved giving it to him.
Releasing the ties, his body relaxed into the bed. She strolled into the bathroom, retrieving the organic aloe vera to help the sting. Coming back over to the bed, she sat down on the side.
As she carefully and gently rubbed the cool gel on his marks, he moaned again. They didn’t speak because there was no need for words. She wiped her hands and gently ran her fingers through his hair. Memories of Jarvis laying in the same position flashed through her head. She’d loved the feel of his silky hair. Jerriod’s was soft, but she wished it was Jarvis laying here instead.
“Thank you, Miss Kay.” Jerriod finally spoke.
“You’re welcome. You may get up and dress.” She stood, collecting the items as he put his clothes on. Slowly. “It was great seeing you.” She kissed his cheek.
“Could I buy you a drink before you leave?”
Knowing a drink with him would lead to nothing more than a friendly conversation, she declined. She wanted to go home and relax. Leaving him in the room, she rushed to the locker room and placed her belt in the locker.
When she returned to her car, a smile grew on her face. Between Lakota’s words and the scene with Jerriod, she felt…different. Things were about to change for her.
Chapter Six
It took three times, but Jarvis finally managed to get off the makeup he had to wear at his latest photoshoot. He never minded modeling. He even enjoyed it, but he hated all the makeup they had to wear.
When he walked out of the bathroom, he saw Joy stretched out on the bed with a laptop on her lap.
“Explain to me why am I sharing a room with you and why we’re not in a suite or a penthouse?” He dropped down onto the other bed.
“Saving money and your ass,” she said continuing to type without glancing up.
“My ass?”
“I can keep an eye on you, which means you won’t get in any trouble.” Her fingernails tapped along with whatever she was doing.
“Trouble?” He repeated the one word that stood out to him.
Joy sighed, finally looking over at him. “If you want Mikayla then you need to keep your ass away from trouble. This means models, actresses, and high-end call girls.”
He gave her a look of disgust. “I’ve never had to pay a girl to fuck me.”
Joy rolled her eyes. A trait she picked up from Mikayla. “Whatever.” She turned her attention back to the screen.
“What about you?”
“What about me?” She stopped typing again. “I’ve never paid for call girls either.”
“Ha. Ha.” He retorted. “When are you going to get into trouble?”
She paled at his question. “Not for a very, very long time.” Her voice went soft.
He’d only asked because despite trying to protect her, he didn’t want her to watch her life pass by her eyes. Joy had a lot to give to the world.
“When’s your first appointment with the therapist?”
“In a couple of days,” she told him, closing the laptop and tossing it to the side.
&nb
sp; “Are you happy about this?”
“Yes and no.” She swung her feet to place them on the floor and faced him. “I want to deal with all these…emotions. On the other hand, what if the memory returns, and I figure out …” She trailed off unable to finish her sentence.
Jarvis couldn’t handle seeing his baby sister in pain. And this was the worst. He remembered everything about the call he received that horrific night. He rushed to her side and wouldn’t leave until she pushed him out the door.
“I’m here for you.” He reached for her hand, just like he did when they were little and hiding from their parents in the closet.
She took his hand and nodded. “Why don’t we grab some food? We’re in New York City, so there’s a million options and I’m starving.”
He grinned but knew she changed the topic because she didn’t want to talk about it anymore. “Let’s go.”
He let her pick the restaurant because Jarvis knew she wouldn’t pick some fancy place. Instead, she found an ‘underground chef’ with a pop-up restaurant. None of which Jarvis understood. He just wanted food. The Uber took them to an apartment in Queens. He wasn’t sure if this was even a safe idea, but Joy seemed excited to be standing in a line along the hallway wall with thirty other people.
“I guess the health department doesn’t evaluate here often,” Jarvis mumbled when Joy handed him a menu, which seemed to be printed from Kinko’s.
“Stop bitching and pick something,” Joy growled at him. “This chef has a massive following on Instagram.”
“I’m sure mine’s bigger.” He smirked.
“You’re an idiot.” She glared at him. “What are you going to get?”
He studied the piece of paper. “Gourmet burgers?” He questioned the title out loud.
“Yes. They’re highly rated,” she added. “I’m getting the spicy chica.”
Still going through all the items, he made a decision. “I’ll get the vampire killer.”
“Good thing you’re not kissin’ anyone,” she commented, snatching the paper from him and handing it to the couple behind them.
“Only Mikayla.” He sighed. “But even that isn’t happening.”
