The Girl on the Bus

by Raven McAllan

  Belle hurried toward her carrying two plates. "I went for one of each. Right so are you all ready for tonight then?"

  Julia rolled her eyes as Belle split the cakes between them, and put one of the plates in front of each of them. "Well, as ready as I can be when I've no idea where I'm off to. Lord, Belle, I'm not dressed for clubbing or even a restaurant. What have you got planned?"

  "You'll see. Drink and eat up, we've got a lot to do."

  Julia grinned. There was no point in questioning Belle in this mood. She'd spill her plans when she decided it suited her, and not before.

  If either of them ever drank a cup of coffee and ate a plate of cake so fast before and not got indigestion, Julia didn't know when. Ten minutes later they said their farewells to Nolan and walked down the main shopping street.

  "Belle, I need to at least shower, if nothing else," Julia said, as Belle took her arm and practically frog marched around the corner toward one of the city's upmarket hotels. "What are you doing?"

  Belle steered her through the revolving door and toward the lifts. "I checked us in earlier. Third floor." Before Julia got to ask the next question on her list, the lift doors opened and Belle shoved her in.

  "Okay, three minutes and you can give me the third degree. Not that I'll tell you, it's a surprise and a treat, and I so want to surprise you. I'll miss you, and you never know it may help you in your book. Which is damned noble of me, cos really I'd like you back at Maddock, Milligan, and McLucky, and all that."

  That rendered Julia speechless. She'd miss Belle as well, but she had to try and get her book written. The legacy from her great-aunt gave her the opportunity to do that. With care she'd be able to live for a couple of years. The year she'd given herself to write also gave her a buffer in case she didn't get another job straight away. Although M, M, and McL's parting words of a job when she wanted it proved a great relief.

  "Right." Belle bumped the door shut with her bum. "No booze, sorry. Not for our night out. You have," she looked at her watch. "Fifty minutes to get ready. You can shower first and I'll unpack the clothes, and don't worry I've got everything sorted."

  Julia decided she might as well go with the flow, and went into the bathroom. Whatever it needed to be legal, and Belle usually did great surprises. In the four years they'd worked together, she'd arranged high wire lessons, bungee jumping from the Finnieston Crane, and a weekend white water rafting in the highlands. To say nothing of a cookery school—in Paris—and several different pamper days. Julia hoped whatever this surprise revealed it would be of the same quality and enjoyment.

  An hour later, she wasn't so sure.

  Belle bullied her into a pair of skin-tight trousers from which Julia worried her ass would break out in protest, and a thin silky bodice that her boobs threatened to spill over. No bra of course, and Belle took hers and hidden it.

  "I look like a hooker," she said "Or someone about to go into a b… oh fuck, Belle, tell me you haven't?"

  She had.

  ****

  "Tell me again, Lin. Why did I agree to this?"

  Linsey Mitchell, owner of Dommissima, considered by many to be one of the premier BDSM clubs in Europe, laughed. "Because you were bored and jaded and wanted to live to the full again. Because whatever bee tucked in your bonnet these last years has finally fluttered away, and you've decided to move on from Taylor Mack, and Harry Finney and his adventures, and be yourself. Have your own adventures in real life?"

  That about summed it up.

  "So what do we have tonight?"

  "Well your wax demo is the highlight of the evening, it's booked out. That's all you've signed for tonight, unless?" She raised one eyebrow.

  "Nope, that's your lot hon. I still have three months work on Harry, and you know as well as I do I need to take care until then. I'll do tonight with my mask on, and enjoy it. Sadly though, you'll have to wait until filming is over before you get me back again."

  "Damn it. Seriously though, Tay, are you sure tonight is safe for you?"

  "Yeah." He gave Linsey a platonic kiss on the cheek. "So when are you and my sister going to realize how much you need each other and do something about it eh?"

  Linsey shook her head. "God knows. When she accepts marrying Michael even for the reasons she did wasn't right. When we both admit we'll switch. When hell freezes over."

  Tay nodded. Two very strong willed ladies clashing horns didn't make for a comfortable arrangement. Not that it was his problem, but he hated to see two of his favorite ladies unhappy. With a sigh, Tay glanced at his watch as he took it off and put it into the room's safe. He never wore it when he scened.

  "Right, I'll go and get ready. Is everything set up?" The skin between Tay's shoulder blades itched uncomfortably for no apparent reason. Not danger or something wrong exactly, but he was damned sure something might upset the apple cart. He could almost smell it.

  "Well, you checked it all," Linsey said as she stood up and smoothed her electric-blue evening dress over her hips. "Your candles and cleansers and stuff are where you put them. I'll go and make sure everything is under control. "Thirty minutes, okay?"

  "No problem." Tay waited until Linsey left and stripped his shirt and jeans off. Tonight he intended to pull out all the stops. Even though he'd kept his hand in, using Linsey and Laura as models, tonight would be the first night since… He sniffed the air. That damned elusive perfume of Silver seemed to fill the air. Tay shook his head at his fanciful notions.

  With a grin at his airy-fairy mood, Tay took a quick shower and pulled on his well-worn and form-fitting leather trousers, and a favorite black T-shirt. Some Doms wore a jerkin, but there were no rules and regulations, and he felt comfortable and in control in what he wore.

  With a glance at the time on the radio alarm, Tay ran a brush through his hair; pleased it was short and not likely to fall into his eyes. In his roll as Harry Finney, he'd worn almost every style imaginable, including a plait, but for this series he appeared short haired and clean-shaven. It made it easier for his mask to fit at any rate. He reached for it and smoothed the butter soft leather between his fingers. He hadn't worn it since his night with Silver. He'd put it in his bag on a whim. Maybe that’s why he thought she seemed near? That and their meeting earlier. The meeting she'd run from.

  Tay vowed there and then that he'd find her somehow. He'd worm her address out of Laura somehow, or throw himself on her mercy. Now though he had a job to do, and he couldn't be distracted at all.

  "They're all in, Tay, and ready. Meg is ready to sub if you don't get any volunteers. Everyone has signed the disclaimers and the health forms and so on, but who knows how things will go. It’s the twenty max, and a goodly mixture of people." Linsey disappeared as fast as she'd appeared. Tay really should be used to her jack in the box act, but by goodness she perfected the knack of making him dizzy.

  He picked up his mask and slipped it over his head to adjust it so the eyeholes were exactly where he wanted them. The familiar feel of the leather as it stroked his skin brought the old tingles back. I've missed this. It's more than time I let my true self out once more.

  ****

  "Oh, no." Julia stopped dead outside the door and poked Belle on the arm. "What's this, Belle Chisholm? Dommissima? Is this what I think it is?"

  "How do I know?" Belle nudged her forward again. "But it's here we're off to."

  "Nope, you are maybe, I decline your oh so kind invitation. I've had enough shocks to the system already today. Can't we just go and get out of these clothes into some jeans and get a curry?"

  "Wuss."

  "Oh yes, big time. Definitely, so shall we?"

  Julia didn't expect Belle to agree and she didn't.

  "Nah, do you know how difficult it was to get these tickets? We're going in, and you can shut your eyes all night if you want, but I so want to go. Julia, please?"

  That was enough for Julia to be contrite. Belle didn't know anything about why Julia suffered the bloody great itch over all her body,
and a jiving family of whatevers doing overtime in her tummy. Bless her, Belle hadn't even asked questions about Julia's weird running away that afternoon.

  "Of course we will. Sorry, honey, I'm being a wuss like you say. So it is a BDSM club?" She'd heard the name mentioned somewhere. "And how come we can get in?"

  Belle hugged her. "It's a demo night, and I… er, put our names down, and um sort of forged your signature and stuff. After all, it's only a watch and drool night really. Hey, you don't have anything drastically wrong with you, do you? I mean I know you've had your appendix out, because you worked with me when it happened, but I guessed the rest of you is okay. The only thing I really took a stab at was protection, and I said you were on the pill. Not that it'll really matter, because like I said, it's watch…"

  "And drool yeah. And I am on the pill." To regulate her periods, nothing else. Julia wasn't going to admit she thought her pussy might well have sealed itself up due to lack of use. "What are we watching?" The jiving whatevers were back in force with a vengeance.

  As Belle pushed the heavy-looking, windowless door open and took Julia's hand, pulling her in, Julia began to sweat. Tiny black dots swam in her vision.

  Oh shit, stop it, and do not faint, not here. How embarrassing. But she couldn't stop the tiny moan from escaping. Belle looked at her.

  "Hell. Julia, it's not den of iniquity. No white slavers or bogey men, honestly."

  Julia managed a half smile. It became hard work when you thought even to open your mouth you'd throw up. Coupled with the horrid metallic tang of blood hitting every sense possible because you'd bitten your lip, it was more than unpleasant. "You sure? Oh Belle, joke, okay? I'm sorry I just felt weird. Maybe I'm hungry. Cake and then an apology for a chicken salad doesn't really fill me up."

  "You can't scene on a full stomach," Belle said and then went white. "Oh, bugger."

  The butterflies in Julia's tummy turned into bats and beetles and all things nasty. Having a no holds barred fight.

  "Oh bugger, indeed. 'Fess up woman, what have you said I'd do that I don't know about? I'm not going one inch further until you tell me." Julia moved to one side. A couple of girls dressed in pelmet skirts that were almost an arrest-able deal, and much too tight corsets approached the registration desk. She hoped they didn't need to take a deep breath, they'd be hard pushed to. Next to them she looked like the aged granny.

  "Belle, unless you tell me what the fuck is going in, I'm out of here. You told me a demo, not a scene."

  "A demo is a scene," Belle said.

  "And hell is just a hot fire to warm your toes beside. What's going on?"

  Belle dragged her toward the wall, out of the way of the few interested bystanders. Obviously they wondered why someone shook like a milkshake and hung back, instead of rushing eagerly to go in.

  "Well, look, why don't you just treat tonight as research? You know for the BDSM book you insist you're not going to write, but I bet you really want to."

  No, I really don't. The real thing spoiled me. It had been such a private intense night, that Julia knew she didn’t want to share her thoughts and feelings about it with unknown people. Sadly, she also knew there was as much chance of her not using her knowledge if she wrote about it as of her winning the football pools. She didn't do those.

  "Wrong. Now how about you tell me the rest, you've got that look. The one you use before you get me to agree to something I really don't want to do, but you're going to do your darndest to make me."

  "Oh hell, there's a chance we might get asked to participate if we want to. No way was I going to spoil it by having a full stomach, and so not fit for purpose, you know?" Belle licked her lips and winked.

  In spite of herself Julia laughed. "No, thank you. Not my scene."

  And if she believes that I have a bridge for sale. Argh fuck and hell. "Er, what are we going to see?"

  Belle didn't answer, but edged Julia towards the registration desk. The woman behind it smiled at both of them.

  "Hello, ladies. Names, please? And then write the names you'll use inside the club on your tags."

  "Belle Chisholm and Julia Farrar. I'm always Belle."

  "And you, Ms. Farrar?"

  Julia bit her lip. A well-known voice spoke behind her. She didn't need a face to know the speaker’s identity. Her mind filled with his presence, and her skin stung with the realization he was around.

  "She's Silver, and she's my sub. Aren’t you, pet?"

  Chapter Four

  Tay put his hand onto Julia's shoulder as she went grey and swayed. He'd heard the interaction between her and her Belle and sighed. Belle did her best, but he'd known it wasn't going to be easy.

  When he noticed them both come in, he'd almost done the clichéd rub the eyes thing, or pinched himself. He should have realized she hadn't come of her own accord. Tay had a friend in the know, a valued and respected Master who promised that if a sub called Silver, or anyone with her coloring popped up, he'd have known about it. Tay doubted whether his friend would ever have passed her whereabouts on to him. That would break client confidentiality. However at least he'd have something to go on.

  To Tay's initial horror, Julia shuddered under his touch, but Tay was experienced enough to know after the first split second it wasn't with revulsion. He tightened his grip, just a little bit, and Julia moaned.

  "Silver?" He prompted her, and the glowering look she sent him made him chuckle. "Bratty sub, pet. So not on. Now I suggest we let your friend go in and get a seat, and we talk."

  "I suggest not."

  Yes, bratty all right. He flicked his head in the universal get lost motion to Belle, who nodded and followed Linsey toward a door at the back of the hall. He bent his head to Julia's ear, and felt her soft breath feather over his skin as he moved toward her. She smelled of citrus and spring.

  "You and I need to talk, pet. We owe each other that. Now do you come inside and watch my demo and give me your word you won't run, or do I get someone to guard dog you?"

  Tay wasn't fanciful, but it seemed even the air waited for her answer. He was under no illusions he could hold her if she wanted to go, but he hoped she'd stay. Just as he decided to give up, Julia gave a shuddering sigh and nodded.

  "Yes, Sir."

  Ye bloody ha. Sir no less. He was careful not to let his exultation show. "Then come with me."

  He didn't wait to see if she followed, but turned and walked toward the doorway Belle and Linsey went through.

  Just before they disappeared, he did turn, and his heart—and his cock—swelled as Julia followed with her head bent, and then stopped in front of him.

  "Sir?" Her voice hitched and her shoulders heaved.

  "Yes, pet?" Tay lifted her chin up, and his heart missed a beat as he saw the shimmer of sadness in her eyes. "Why the tears?"

  Julia swiped at her face and he took hold of both her hands.

  "Tell me, pet."

  She didn't resist his hold, moving toward him before she straightened and looked him in the eyes. "I missed you. All this time, I wondered what if. My reactions to what we did scared me senseless so I left. I was a coward, and I still am."

  That was being open and honest with a vengeance.

  He held both her hands in one of his and massaged her shoulders with the other. The knots he felt would need a sports masseur to dislodge them. Or a good spanking session.

  "Do I call you Silver or Julia?" He kept his voice soft and level, as if he soothed a puppy—or a new and nervous sub. Not very dominant or commanding, but she trembled like a sapling in a strong wind, and Tay reckoned she was ready to run—or faint. In truth he had no idea what she'd experienced other than with him. Nothing I hope. The fierceness of that thought startled him.

  "Well, pet?"

  Julia moved a step back and he let her, although he didn't take his gaze off her face. She'd regained her color now, and ran her tongue around her lips before her throat rippled as she swallowed deeply.

  "Silver, please, Sir. Except—" Sh
e bit her lip.

  'That deserves a spanking," Tay said and watched a fresh rush of color flood her body. "No marking except by me. So you were saying?"

  "Yes, Sir, please call me Silver, and I'm ready to go inside. And except, what are you demonstrating?"

  "Guess." Tay took her hand and tugged. She tripped toward him and hit his chest with a thud. Her nipples puckered at the contact and stood out against her thin top. As ever his cock responded to her closeness. Tay could only be thankful his zipper appeared sturdy.

  Silver's hands snaked around his neck. In spite of himself, Tay's lips twitched. Bratty sub indeed. Would he get the chance to make her his bratty sub once more?

  "Sir? Are you demonstrating wax play?"

  "Sub, are you showing me proper respect?"

  Her hands fell like stones, and to his delight, and amazement, she dropped to her knees and assumed the position. There in the hallway where anyone could see.

  "Sorry, Sir. But are you?"

  Okay, still a bratty sub.

  "Why? Are you volunteering to be my sub for the demonstration?"

  "Yes, Sir."

  Tay was sure his chin hit his chest. "Say that again, pet."

  She looked up at him, determination uppermost in the way she straightened her back, and stared him full on in the face. "Yes, Sir. If you want me. Oh look, sorry and yes, okay you can do what you need to make me realize this is out of line later, but you see, I recognized you this afternoon by your voice. No, I didn't realize you were Taylor Mack who plays the dishy spy in that TV series, and has it off with all those women as he saves the world or whatever. Though with hindsight I guess I should have wondered why Harry Finney's voice made me wet."

  Tay laughed. "Should I be jealous of my alter ego?"

  "No, Sir, because it's the voice I responded to, not the character. But shoot, how could I not realize? Okay, it was five yeas ago, and you wore a mask to play, but not—"

  "Not?" Tay prompted her even though he knew the answer.

  "Not when we made love."