“How about noon at Cheeburger? Thanks.”
“See you then.”
Nikki hung up and attacked the pile of work on her desk. She really needed to talk and knew that Gabby could be counted on to keep what they discussed under her hat. She trusted Kaylin and Chloe as well, but both of them were involved in new cases, and she didn’t want to pull them away from their investigations for personal girl business.
* * * *
Gabby had gotten to Cheeburger Cheeburger first and secured a secluded table in a shady corner on the sidewalk. When Nikki arrived, they exchanged hugs, and she sat down. “You look good. Is Miguel treating you right?”
“Yes.” She blushed. “Except for the occasional hot butt, he treats me like I was made of precious gems or something equally romantic and silly. For a sadist Dom, he can be remarkably romantic and silly.”
“Speaking of gems, I see you have the ‘pulsing heart of love’ under your shirt.” Miguel had given Gabriella a very valuable family heirloom for Christmas. The large ruby pendant on a heavy gold chain seemed to have a life of its own. They had gotten engaged in February and were apparently very happy.
“I almost never take it off. Every time I go to remove it to put something else on, it seems to heat up and fuss. That’s really ridiculous, I know. Never mind me—totally romantic and silly. What’s up with you?”
“Well, you know that Dan McGrath has been to the club because you saw him there, so it’s okay to talk about it. Besides, he hasn’t joined the club yet. We’ve been out to lunch and dinner several times over the last couple of weeks, and we spent the weekend at my house. Then we did have a scene at the club after he took one of Jack’s classes, and we went out again and spent the night at my house. The sex was outstanding, by the way. Since then, he hasn’t called or talked to me except about business, and we haven’t gone out again. Read that to mean we haven’t had sex again either.”
“Was he uncomfortable about the BDSM? I guess maybe newbies, even if they are men, might be a little nervous in a new situation like that.”
“He was at first, but believe me, he manned up and went for it. I don’t think it’s the BDSM. It might be that he still has feelings for his ex-wife.”
“That bitch?” The outraged look on Gabby’s face would have been comical if that wasn’t exactly how she felt herself. “How could he after what she did? The woman is pure evil, no redeeming qualities at all.”
“Tell me about it. I had to sit across the table from her and agree to negotiate her plea bargain in order to get her to reveal where they were keeping the other girls. She tried to tell me she had a traumatic childhood, and that was why she thought it was okay to traumatize other kids in order to maintain her opulent lifestyle—not exactly in those words, of course. She’s cleverer than that, but I could see it in her eyes. She did what she did without any compunction or compassion at all.”
“Well, how could he still have feelings for her then? That doesn’t make sense.”
“I guess the heart doesn’t have to make sense. How can I still have feelings for him? That doesn’t make sense either since I know I’m going to get hurt. I saw the handwriting on the wall and decided to back it off as well. I just think it’s too late. We’ve been keeping out of each other’s way at the office. Thank goodness their space is pretty much separate from ours, except I have to go down the hall to get coffee.”
“Can you ask Amy to get your coffee? I doubt she would mind.”
“I could, but she’s busy, too. We’re getting ready for one trial, and working on another possible case—which is the other reason I wanted to talk to you. Are you familiar with the Russell Young homicide? The vet who was shot by his wife when he attacked her?”
“Sort of. I know the wife has been arrested, but she hasn’t been indicted yet. What about it?”
“Well, I’ve talked to her at length and agreed to represent her. Gabby, this is clearly a case of self-defense. Russell Young was suffering from untreated PTSD. He refused to acknowledge that he had a problem and wouldn’t seek treatment. He attacked her, she struggled for the gun, and it went off. It was an accident.”
“From what I hear—and this case hasn’t been assigned to me or anything yet—there is no evidence that he did actually suffer from PTSD. His relatives and former platoon mates deny that he had it.”
“We are looking for that evidence, Gabby. If she’s indicted, we will subpoena his service and medical records. Some of the neighbors said he evidenced some symptoms, but they weren’t in the apartment with them and wouldn’t necessarily know the extent of his problems. They said he always seemed to be either depressed or on an adrenalin high—no middle ground. She was definitely an abused wife. The pictures taken of her body after her arrest show numerous old and new bruises.”
“She could have left him, Nikki. The courts are taking the position that the ‘abused wife’ defense if definitely overused.”
“She loved him, Gab. She didn’t want to leave him when he so obviously needed her. Unfortunately those sentiments cost his life and her freedom. Can you talk to Miguel and feel him out, let me know how you think he’s going to go with this one? She’s sitting in jail under arrest but not indicted. It’s not fair, and I can’t prepare for a trial until I know what the charges are going to be, if indeed there are going to be charges. If Miguel wants to sit down and discuss a plea bargain or something, I’ll make myself available. I’d like to head this off before it gets to the Grand Jury if possible.”
“I’ll ask him about it. I don’t really feel comfortable about that, but I will.”
“Thanks. Let’s order. I have to get back.”
* * * *
Dan had seen Nikki leave for lunch when he was walking up to the front desk to see how Angelina was doing. He hesitated until she got into the elevator.
Angelina certainly was a looker, but there was something about her. He just couldn’t put his finger on it. Maybe the very slight French accent put him off. She was from New Orleans after all, but Anne Marie had had a soft Southern accent, not French in any way. He shook his head. He didn’t know what was bothering him. She smiled up at him when he walked up to the desk. “So, how’s it going? Are you settling in?”
“Everything is fine, thanks. I really like it here so far. Everyone has been very nice.”
“Well, that’s good. Let one of the girls know if you need anything.”
He knew he was off his game, and he was feeling that he had not treated Nikki as he should have. One thing that Jack had emphasized in the BDSM ethics class was that a good Dom didn’t play with a sub’s emotions. Playing with their bodies was good. Playing with their hearts was not. As a gentleman he knew this as well, and he was not proud of his actions. However, it wouldn’t be fair to lead her to think that everything was fine in his head. He didn’t know what to do about it or what to say to her.
When he got back to his desk, he buzzed J.J. “How about lunch today? I could use an ear.”
“Sure. We’re waiting for figures from the bank on a closing, so Linda won’t have the final closing statement done for a while. How about Hot Tomatoes? I could go for a burrito.”
“Fine. I’ll meet you at the elevator in five.”
When they were seated at a table with their food in front of them, J.J. said, “So, what’s bothering you? You look like someone just kicked your puppy.”
“That’s about how I feel, except that I’m the one that kicked the puppy.” He filled J.J. in on what had been going on with Nikki without spilling all the salacious details. He was sure J.J. could fill those in for himself.
“Why don’t you just sit down and talk it out honestly, Dan? She, of all people, knows what’s been going on with Antoinette Marie. She’ll understand and work with you on it. Just giving her the cold shoulder after all of that is just rude, and she won’t forgive that.”
“Maybe you’re right. I didn’t want to come across like a wimp still hung up on the woman that treated him like shit. I don’t know…”
“In any relationship, not just BDSM, communication and honesty are the most important things. I know this from bitter experience. I almost lost Chloe because I wasn’t honest about how I felt about her job as a vice cop. We almost didn’t survive that issue, not once but twice.”
“I know Chloe’s involvement in Anne Marie’s arrest was a problem for you. You got past it thank goodness. I’d hate to have that on my plate as well.”
“It’s not on your plate. That’s part of your problem. You are not responsible for the shit that Antoinette Marie did. You didn’t know about it, you didn’t participate in it, and you couldn’t see into her head or her heart.”
“I should have been able to see into both after twenty fucking years of marriage. That’s what I can’t get past. That and the fact that she did it partly for me.”
“Well, kick that shit out of your head unless you want to live the rest of your life in her shadow. And that’s crap anyway. She didn’t do it for you or the kids. That’s just convenient bullshit. She did it for herself, for her own comfortable life. She’s where she belongs. I wish it was for longer, but I understand that the plea bargain was made in order to get those other girls back.”
Dan thought about what J.J. had said. “Okay. You’re right. I’ll try to talk to Nikki this afternoon if she doesn’t take my head off when I stick it through her door.”
* * * *
Nikki looked up in surprise when Dan walked into her office and quietly closed the door. “Can I talk to you for a couple of minutes?”
“Sure.”
“I’ve been a shit, and I don’t like it. Things got so intense with us so quickly—the BDSM thing and all.”
“If you didn’t like the BDSM, you should have just said so.”
“That’s not it. I loved it. I guess I was just overwhelmed.” He sighed and looked uncomfortable. “Our relationship was the first time I’d had sex with anyone else since before my marriage to Anne Marie. I know it’s irrational. We’re divorced under the worst possible circumstances, but maybe I still felt guilty. I can’t explain it.”
“I see. Do you still love her?” Nikki’s heart was in her throat. She knew how she felt about Dan, and she wasn’t sure how she would handle hearing that he was still in love with his wife.
“No. I don’t know. Maybe. Maybe I still love the woman who never existed at all except in my head. Antoinette Marie is certainly not worthy of love or loyalty. Twenty years of devotion have gone down the drain. Twenty years of Sunday mornings in bed, Christmas mornings with the kids, family vacations. All gone. Maybe it was too soon to start dating again. I did try to take it slow, but you can see how that worked out.”
“Well, thank you for clearing that up—sort of. I was wondering if I had suddenly developed BO or bad breath. Anyway, that’s fine. Let’s just be friends and not let what happened between us make either of us uncomfortable in the office.”
“Well, friends wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.”
“Friends with benefits? I don’t think so, Dan. I have a greater regard for myself than that. When you’re ready to go forward with a relationship, let me know. If I’m still available, I’ll let you know.” She knew she had to be strong here. She couldn’t let them slip into a convenient, sex-when-he-felt-like it, booty call type of relationship.
“Wait, Nikki. That wasn’t exactly what I meant either. I don’t know what to say. You mean much more to me than ‘friends with benefits.’ I care a great deal for you, and I think we could work this out if you’ll be patient with me. I want to try it again. Do you think you can do that? I can’t make any promises that I won’t have a relapse or two, but I don’t want to give up on us.”
Her heart gave a leap, but she tamped it down. She had to be careful here. She knew she was vulnerable. “Exactly what did you have in mind?”
“Maybe dinner tonight and a trip to the club? Can you give me another chance?”
“That will have to be on my terms this time. Can you handle that?”
“Yes. That’s fair. I’m not trying to hurt you.” That remained to be seen.
“All right. I’ll make a room reservation, and I’ll meet you upstairs at seven thirty.”
“What about dinner?”
“Maybe afterward. We’ll see.”
* * * *
The foyer of The Black Iris Club, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Wednesday evening, April 22, 2015
Nikki was waiting for Dan when he opened the door and walked into the foyer of the club. She was standing there in a long black coat since this was arguably a public room. She had a small bag with street clothes in it for later. Her toy bag had been put in the dungeon theme room by the dungeon monitor. Mr. Dan McGrath was in for a surprise tonight, and he was about to learn the true meaning of “switch.”
She leaned in and let him kiss her cheek before she turned to the dungeon monitor. “Thanks for taking care of my room reservation, Max. Let’s go, Dan.”
He followed her into the dungeon and then down the hall where she swiped into the dungeon theme room, which was a miniature replica of the main dungeon. It was an intimidating space with dark-red walls and all the standard BDSM equipment and an opulently made bed in the corner. When they were inside and she had locked the door behind her, she shrugged out of her coat and let it fall to the floor. She was left standing in a black bustier, black lace garter belt holding up black mesh stockings, and high, black heels. Her apricot hair was spread over her shoulders, and a long, fat curl dropped down into her cleavage. Her ass and closely trimmed pussy were fully exposed. She knew the look was shocking, especially against her peaches-and-cream porcelain skin.
Dan looked like he was in shock. “Pick up my coat, sub, and hang it in the closet. Then strip, hang your clothes, put on cuffs, and assume the position. If you don’t want to be my sub tonight, say so now and we’ll leave. If not, tonight will be by my rules. You will obey or face the consequences.” Dan still had not said anything. “Well, sub, do you want to continue or not?”
“Uh, yes, Mistress.” Ah, so he was willing to call her Mistress. She would have settled for Ma’am.
“Then strip and put on the cuffs.”
“Yes, Mistress.” He picked up her coat and walked to the closet where he hung it on a hanger and proceeded to remove and hang his own clothing. When he was naked, he took a set of wrist cuffs from the drawer.
“Ankle cuffs, too, sub. And hurry it up.”
While he moved to follow her orders, she observed him carefully for the beginnings of defiance in his attitude. She watched as he put on the padded wrist and ankle cuffs before she ran her fingers under them checking for proper fit. “Do you want me to go over the rules with you?”
“Yes, Mistress.”
“You will call me Mistress in this room when I am the Domme. You will not speak unless asked a direct question. You will obey all orders immediately. Now, stand under the chains and assume the slave position, feet spread, hands at your sides, head bowed.”
She needed a minute to think. She hadn’t done this is a while, and although she was a “switch,” she didn’t often assume the top role. Truthfully, the men she was attracted to would not allow it. Ha! Picture Jack Dalton Brown as a sub—never going to happen. She thought that the surprise factor was the only reason she was getting away with it now. Once Dan was in position, she walked up beside him and fastened his wrist cuffs to the chains hanging from the ceiling and adjusted the length so that he was just standing on his bare feet. Then she nudged his feet apart and fastened his ankle cuffs to the bolts recessed in the smooth oak floor. Once she had him secured to her satisfaction, she walked around in front of him.
“I am the Domme tonight. You are the sub. Do you want to go over hard limits?”
“I have the same hard limits Mistress gave me the first time we were here.”
“Fine. What is your safe word?”
“My safe word is ‘juris prudence,’ Mistress.”
She walked around his body and a
dmired his well-defined muscles, hard stomach, long legs, and fine ass. She had plans for that ass tonight. She picked up a riding crop and stood slightly behind him and to the side. “Look at me, sub.” When she had his attention and he was looking her in the eyes, she reached out with the crop and laid a smart slap across his butt. “You have earned a punishment for disrespecting me this past week. You will receive nine more strikes. You must learn to communicate with your partner, be she Domme or sub, and let your needs be known. You will count for me. If you fail to count, we will start again at one. I’m waiting, sub. Do you want to start again?”
“One, Mistress.” He didn’t look happy, and she was sure he was going to be a lot less happy by the time she had smacked his ass nine more times with the sturdy little riding crop. It had a nice spring to it, and she knew it stung like a bitch. There was nothing he could do except safe word out, and she doubted he would do that.
She delivered another smack. “Two, Mistress.” By the time she had delivered eight more good strokes across his butt and he had counted each and every one, he looked like he had about had enough of this game. His handsome cock was standing at attention, but if looks could kill, she’d be lying on the ground right now.
“Good job, sub. Now you have earned some pleasure.” She walked behind him and ran her hands down his muscular back and over his ass. The stripes were red and painful looking but with no broken skin. He would feel them and have a reminder tomorrow, and that had been her intention. She patted his ass a few times. She could all but hear him grinding his teeth. She was determined to get his attention, and Mr. McGrath had a lesson to learn. You didn’t piss off a woman who was a switch and could turn from sub to Domme when you least expected it.
She stood behind him and pressed her breasts up against his back. She reached down between his legs and grasped his balls. She gently rolled them in her palm and played with them until he groaned. She reached around the front and gave his now steel-hard cock a pump or two and then returned to his balls. She ran the fingers of her other hand down between his reddened butt cheeks. She had to admit he had a damn fine ass. She slipped a finger between his cheeks and circled the rim of his anus. When a shiver ran down his spine, she said, “Do you like that, sub?” She inserted one of her fingers a short way into his butt. “How about a lipstick vibrator in there? Or maybe a vibrating butt plug?”
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