Unfortunately, the fantasy and the reality were a long way apart, and until Jovina learned to stand up for herself, she would never leave Buckshot.
That’s what she’d have to do, she thought as she etched a line on Martie’s face, the Domme’s expression one of sheer bliss. She’d have to learn to be herself, to live her life as she wanted.
Unfortunately there weren’t enough hours in the day for her to learn that lesson.
A glance at the clock showed she had almost an hour before she had to be at work. She’d asked for the weekend off, which hadn’t made her father happy, but upon her mother’s urging, he’d agreed. It would mean that she’d have to stay until after closing tonight, and Friday nights were always busy.
At least she was working the door and not waiting tables. When she returned home, she would finish the drawing. Jovina had received a text from M earlier in the day, telling her she would see her this weekend, and they would set up a time later.
Jovina had checked her phone every few minutes after that, hoping the Domme would let her know when they would get together and where. So far there had been no message. She checked it again and noticed it was close to four. She needed to get ready so she could be at the restaurant at five.
After carefully storing the drawing in the closet, Jovina shut the door to the spare room she used as a studio. She showered and then put on her work outfit.
When she got to the restaurant, the early birds were already there. The daytime hostess was happy to see her, handing over the marker they used to work the table seating chart, with a few explanations about people who were waiting for others to join their parties.
Jovina checked the seating chart to see which tables were empty; then she checked the reservations list. There were a few regulars and several names she didn’t recognize. That wasn’t unusual for a Friday night, though. The cuisine at Queso Ranchero was well-known throughout the region, and people came from as far away as Albuquerque or Amarillo to enjoy the fare.
The local hotels liked that, because those who came generally stayed the night, and then they fed their tourist dollars into the town square, where shops sold trinkets, books, art, and other items that dealt with the history of the area.
The restaurant did a brisk business that evening, and Jovina lost track of the reservations and how many more tables needed to be seated before she could go home and finish the drawing.
Tomorrow was her time with Martie. Jovina wished for the end of the evening as she showed a couple to their table about eight thirty. As she walked back toward the hostess stand, she could hear her mother’s laughter filling the space. The sound made Jovina smile. Her mother was a very happy woman who loved to laugh and have a good time.
But it was another sound that made Jovina stop short. Avery. Jovina heard her friend’s voice loud and clear. Avery was laughing too, and when Jovina rounded a corner, she saw Avery hugging her mother. Standing next to them were Master Earnest and Mistress Martie.
The sight shocked Jovina, and it took her a few minutes to recover. When she felt she had a hold on her emotions, she walked the short distance to where the group stood.
“Avery,” she said, her voice almost a whisper, “and Earnest and…Martie. Hello. I wasn’t expecting you.”
“A surprise,” her mother said with another laugh.
“Not really,” Earnest replied. “We have a reservation. It’s under Masters.”
Jovina giggled at the underlying meaning. She wasn’t sure what Earnest’s last name was, but she was pretty sure it wasn’t Masters.
A check of the list showed they had reserved a table for four. Her stomach did a few flips. “Are you expecting someone else?” Please don’t let it be a date for Martie, she said to herself.
“You.” Martie’s voice was soft. “We were hoping that, at some point, you would be able to join us.”
“Um.” Jovina glanced down at the seating chart. Things had slowed down, but there were still three reservations that needed to be seated when the customers arrived. “It will probably be about thirty minutes before I can join you.”
“We’ll make sure you have plenty of margaritas and our famous nachos to keep you busy until she gets there,” her mother said as she hugged Avery. “Give them a seat out on the terrace. It’s a beautiful evening, and they’ll be able to see the sunset over the mountains there.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Jovina picked up three menus. “If you’ll follow me, please.”
She led the way through the restaurant. Jovina pushed open the screen door and held it open for her three friends. When Jovina went through, Martie winked at her, and Jovina’s stomach did a few more flips. She licked her lips before she gave the Domme a shy smile.
“Good to see you, Jo-Jo,” Martie said.
“You too, Mistress.” Jovina made sure her voice was low. There were only two other filled tables in the outdoor area, but she didn’t want anyone to hear her. When everyone was through the door, she led them to a table near the edge of the veranda.
A waiter appeared with a bowls of chips, dip, and queso. He said the nachos would be out soon before he asked about drinks. They all three asked for frozen margaritas, and he disappeared as fast as he’d appeared.
“I’ll be back soon,” Jovina said, giving Martie one last look. As she walked back to the hostess station, her mind went through various reasons why they’d come. Maybe Martie and Earnest had planned a scene for afterward. If so, that would be entertaining.
Or maybe Martie had decided to pick up her drawing early, and she had decided against any kind of contact with Jovina because she didn’t want Jovina to make a scene.
Jovina rejected that idea. If Martie had changed her mind, she wouldn’t hide behind something like this. She’d come right out and say it to Jovina’s face or over the phone. She wouldn’t set up a ruse and drive one hundred and twenty miles, round-trip, to tell a sub she was done with her.
Jovina was so busy thinking about the reasons for the Domme’s arrival that instead of going to the front of the restaurant, she headed toward the kitchen. When she opened the door, she realized what she’d done and did an about-face.
“Concentrate,” she said as she went back to work, saying a silent prayer she would be able to leave her post early.
But things didn’t work out that way. They had a small rush toward closing time. Jovina made sure to seat the people who asked for alfresco dining as far away from her friends as possible. By the time she locked the doors and did her count of tables per waitress/waiter and checked the reservations for Saturday, it had been forty-five minutes since the trio arrived.
When Jovina walked up to their table, she found them laughing and obviously enjoying themselves. Dirty plates littered the table, and from the sauce and a few bites left on one, Jovina could see they’d had a special enchilada casserole her mother made, but served to few since it wasn’t on the menu.
“Hey,” Avery said as Jovina approached. It was almost as if they’d never had a fight. Jovina figured her friend had consumed a few margaritas with her dinner.
“Hey,” Jovina returned as she sat down. Jose, the waiter, appeared and put a margarita in front of her.
“Dinner?” he asked. She could tell by the tone of his voice that he wanted her to say no.
Jovina shook her head. “I’ll eat at home, thanks.”
When he was gone, Martie leaned toward her. “Do you cook as well as your mother, Jo-Jo?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact I do.”
“Good.” The Domme pointed to her plate. “This was delicious. I can’t wait to see what you come up with in the kitchen.”
“Things that will warm your belly and keep you happy.”
“You’ll keep me happy in all ways, then,” Martie said.
Jovina nodded, then glanced at the other two people at the table. “You should have told me you were coming. I would have asked for the night off.”
“We didn’t decide until early this morning,” Earnest said. �
�Avery wanted to see you.”
Jovina turned her attention to her long-time friend. “You did?” She was sure the shock was evident in her voice.
“Yes.” Avery cleared her throat. “I came to say—and please don’t say anything until I’m done—I wanted you to know that I’m sorry for what happened. I feel so bad; I…I remembered how some people reacted when they found out I was a sub, making fun of me for wanting to be on my knees and have my ass whipped. I made you feel the same way, and I’m really sorry. I love you, Jovina, like a sister. Please forgive me.”
Tears stung Jovina’s eyes. She blinked them back and said, “Avery, you know I love you too.”
She paused for a moment, then said, “You’re forgiven, as long as you forgive me for not telling you the truth about myself. I should have done it a long time ago.”
“Then we’re both forgiven,” Avery said. She stood and opened her arms. Jovina stood and the two of them hugged.
They stayed that way for a few long moments, until a voice said, “Hey, cut it out, you two. People will think we’ve opened a gay bar here.”
Jovina pulled away from her friend and turned toward her oldest brother, Robert.
He laughed and put his arm around Avery. “Good to see you again, kiddo.”
“You too.” Avery put her arm around his waist.
“Robert, these are my friends Martie and Earnest,” Jovina said. Robert shook hands with everyone, never breaking contact with Avery.
“Always nice to meet my baby sister’s friends,” he said with a grin. “How was dinner?”
“Delectable,” Martie replied. “Your mother is a culinary artist. And I understand your sister’s quite an artist in the other sense. I’m looking forward to seeing some of her work while I’m here.”
Robert shrugged, and Jovina wanted to smack him. “It’s a hobby of hers.”
Thanks a lot, making it seem like it’s because I have nothing better to do.
“She’s really talented,” Avery put in. “Honestly, Robert, you should take more notice.”
A dark look passed over her brother’s face. Jovina knew he didn’t like people to question him. He was the oldest of her siblings, and they all knew that, after their father passed, Robert would be in control of their clan.
For a minute, Jovina thought he would start a fight. Instead, he said, “Are you staying in town or going back to Santa Fe? I thought Jovina was visiting you there this weekend. She asked for time off.”
Robert looked at Jovina as if she’d broken a rule.
“We’re going to Santa Fe,” she said quickly. “They just wanted some good cooking.”
Robert nodded at her friends. “I’ll have a few take-out containers fixed for you to take home, on the house. Sit tight and I’ll also get you some flan for dessert.”
He left after telling everyone it was nice to meet them. When he was gone, Martie laughed. “He has such warmth about him.”
“Robert’s always been very serious and very controlling,” Jovina told the group. “He wants me to marry his friend, Dino.”
Martie narrowed her eyes, and Avery laughed. “Guess you’re going to have to tell them you’re a lesbian.”
“Yes,” she said, her voice even. She was ready for this. Knowing Martie was with her had given her a strength she’d never felt to let her true side be known.
“Well,” Martie said after a short silence. “How much artwork do you have for us to see, Jo-Jo?”
“Quite a bit, if you want to see it all,” Jovina replied. “I’ve been painting for a long time.”
“Maybe we should stay,” Ernest said. “We could have a little slumber party. Of course, we can find a hotel room if needed.”
“No,” Jovina said, happiness spreading through her. Someone wanted to see her art. “I have extra bedrooms.”
“Jo-Jo and I will take her room, so we’ll only need one.” Jovina liked that Martie took control of the situation. It thrilled her that M wanted to stay, and in Jovina’s room too.
Jose came back with a round of flan for everyone. He left and then returned with a big bag of food. “Your brother said to tell you there are breakfast burritos in here too, for tomorrow when you’re in Santa Fe.”
Earnest asked him for the bill.
“It’s taken care of,” Jose said. “You guys have a nice night.”
They all said thank you, and the waiter nodded before he moved toward another table.
“Let’s go,” Jovina said as she stood. “I don’t have a lot of food in the house, so we need to stop and get some sodas and maybe beer to drink.”
Ernest turned to Avery. “Do you know the way?”
When she’d said yes, he glanced at Martie. “We’ll find a store and buy a few party-type foods. You guys go without us, and we’ll meet you there.”
They all stood. “Did you come in one car?”
“We did,” Martie answered. “I thought I would drive back to Santa Fe with you tomorrow.”
“Then let’s head out,” Jovina said.
When she’d arrived that afternoon, Jovina had parked in the only available spot, near the trash bins. When they were in the car, Martie leaned toward Jovina. “May I have a kiss, Jo-Jo?”
The question shocked Jovina, but it also thrilled her to pieces. She leaned in and their lips met, soft and sweet. They pulled back for a moment, and then Martie kissed her again, deeper this time. The Domme’s tongue flicked against Jovina’s lips, and she opened up, welcoming her with complete abandon. Jovina moaned as Martie’s hand pressed against her stomach, then moved up and cupped her breast.
The contact lingered, and Jovina felt whole, felt a sense of warmth spread through her that hadn’t been there in the last few days as she’d thought about not being able to be with Martie again.
“I’ve missed you,” Martie said as she pulled back. “Now take me home and show me your etchings.”
“I can say the same thing,” Jovina said. She put her head on Martie’s shoulder. “Mistress, I—”
“Shush, not now. After Earnest and Avery are in bed, we can talk.”
* * * *
Jovina bit the tip of her thumbnail as Martie, Earnest, and Avery flipped through her canvases. They commented on each painting, about brushstrokes, colors, and subject matter.
She hadn’t brought out the drawing she’d done of Mistress Martie yet. She thought that was for the two of them to see alone.
It was hard for her not to tell Earnest and Avery to leave so she could pull out the sketch.
When they were done looking at her portfolio, Martie gave her a wonderful smile, one that made Jovina feel as if she were glowing.
“It’s a crime for all this to be sitting in the closet. You need to have this in a gallery; you need to offer it up for sale for people to display in their homes. Jovina, you’re extremely talented.”
It had been a while since she’d heard that praise, since her professors in college had encouraged her to keep up with her art, even though she was leaving the university.
“We don’t have many art shows here in Buckshot.”
“We do in Santa Fe,” Martie countered. “You need to talk with a gallery owner, which means putting together a portable portfolio so they can see your work.”
It was such an intriguing idea, something Jovina had always wanted to do. She’d long envisioned herself at a showing, standing in the corner and watching as people with glasses of wine and plates filled with little bites of cheese looked over her offerings.
“Maybe,” she said. “It would be cool.”
“It would be more than cool,” Avery said. “Trust me, you’d be a smash.”
Jovina didn’t reply, but she certainly liked the idea.
“Let’s play a slumber-party game, shall we?” Mistress Martie looked sort of like a cat with a new bowl of cream. “Shall we make our subs compete against each other, Master Earnest?”
“What do you have in mind?” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“Let’s ti
e them to the bar stools in the other room and play with them. The first one to come loses, and has to watch while we play with the other one.”
“Love it, and I just happen to have some ropes in the car.”
“I thought you might,” Martie said. She focused her gaze on Jovina. “Slut, set out two chairs, facing each other, then strip.”
“Yes, Mistress.” Jovina bowed her head just a little. Behind her she heard Earnest give the command for Avery to take off her clothes.
Jovina was pretty sure she was going to lose this game. The look Mistress Martie gave her made Jovina’s clit tighten. Jovina’s excitement was high, and she’d probably come the first time M placed her finger against Jovina’s clit.
* * * *
Jovina had almost been right. It had taken all her self-control to keep from blasting off when Martie put her finger on Jovina’s clit and pressed.
Of course, Mistress Martie hadn’t been easy on her while she’d been tying Jovina to the chair. She’d pinched Jovina’s nipples, then sucked them, making loud noises as she drew the hard buds into her mouth and pulled on them. M bit and sucked one side and then the other.
By the time M’s fingers drifted down to Jovina’s clit, her body was on fire. It took every ounce of concentration she had to keep from exploding.
Jovina knew Avery felt the same way, though. Once, while Martie suckled her nipple and tormented her clit by pinching it hard, Jovina looked over to where her friend wiggled in the chair. Master Earnest’s hands were between her legs, moving back and forth. Jovina imagined his fingers were close together, sliding in and out of her friend’s wetness.
Martie played with her breasts and clit until Jovina could take it no more. When the Mistress bit one nub harder than she had before, the sensation shot straight down to Jovina’s aching nub. Her self-control shattered, and Jovina screamed as waves of passion swept over her.
“Mistress!”
Martie pinched her clit, a devilish laugh escaping her mouth as Jovina came again.
“My little slut,” Martie said into her ear. “Do you want to be mine, Jovina? Mine to fuck when I please? Mine to spank when I please? Mine to do whatever I want with?”
Party Favor Page 7
