Torrance stepped back. “Now pull down your dress, stand up, and face me.”
Swallowing was almost impossible with the pent-up frustration she felt, but Cate obeyed. “Now, here.” He handed her the paper and the key. “When I get home I expect to see you there. Bring as much as you can. Doc said your new master would collect you in thirty days. We have quite a lot of work ahead of us.”
He unlocked the door and paused, scanning her face. “You’d better be there. Now go pack.”
Cate nodded and rushed past him. Every painful step made the smile on her face widen. She snatched her purse from where she’d been sitting, and couldn’t believe she’d just left it there.
The busy activity continued throughout the diner as if her world hadn’t just suddenly taken a dramatic twist for the better. Holy hell, it had been great. Her body was humming with excitement and anxiety of what was to come. This was Cate’s new life, and even if it meant uprooting from everything safe she’d known, she was ready to dive in blindly.
Chapter Three
Butterflies fluttered in the pit of Torrance’s stomach as he finished off his new cup of coffee. Everything about Cate was not what he was used to. Not as a beginning sub, anyway. The previous women he’d been with had been loud, young, and defiant with every turn of his head. It’d been frustrating, but he’d known his abilities, and didn’t once question whether or not he could train them. It’d taken a few weeks, but once he got them settled to where he wanted them, they were a lot like the way Cate was now. Training her wasn’t going to be a problem in the least. He’d made her think it was, but really, she was a natural-born submissive. Her energy, and everything down to the soft tone of her voice, was absolutely perfect.
Torrance looked up at the waitress and waved off the need for more coffee. Fuck. It wasn’t too late. He could call Doc right now and tell him he wanted out. She was ready, plain and simple. Cate’s new master would only really have to demand something, and he knew she’d do it. Then why did he want to continue this?
Visions of her curves projected in his mind. Instantly, his cock hardened. If not for the fact that he was torturing himself by making himself wait, he would have fucked her right there in the restroom. And she would have gladly let him. The wetness and flush on her cheeks were indication enough. That wasn’t even including the moans pouring from her mouth as he touched her.
“Shit.” Torrance threw some money down on the table and went up to the cashier. As he paid, Cate’s kiss flashed into his head. He clenched his jaw. Wow, she was something else. The sweet taste of her mouth and the way she looked blew him away.
But even her appearance wasn’t what he was used to. The natural make-up she wore was all earth tones. There was no black eyeliner, or bright red lips. She looked pure. Sweet. It was refreshing as hell. He could easily walk with her into a party and she would be all elegance and grace. There was no work to be done there.
The cashier handed him his change and he walked out to the busy streets of downtown Austin. Tourists littered the area. The distance to his art gallery was only a few blocks. Torrance pushed his hands down into his pants pockets and strolled the streets at a leisurely pace. He was in no hurry to make it there. His appointment wasn’t until five, and he had plenty of time to kill. The sound of music drifted through the air. He loved that about Austin. It didn’t really matter where you were … music was usually playing somewhere.
A thought crossed his mind and Torrance smiled. He pulled out his phone and hit Doc’s number. Mike almost answered it immediately. “What’d you think? Did you meet her?”
The smile was automatic. “I like her. I have her packing now.” The smell of food from each restaurant he passed added to the mixture of anticipation. “I actually called for her number. Text it to me so I can get ahold of her.” He trailed off as he spotted Cate on the corner, next to a bookstore. She was scanning the titles on the bargain rack that rested against the outside of the building. Small white tables sat around the entrance. She adjusted her glasses and pulled a book out, and began reading the back.
Torrance suddenly realized Doc was talking. “Hey, I’m going to have to call you back. Text me that number! I need it.” He hung up the phone. Within seconds his phone alerted him to the message. He hit the number and watched as her head came up from the book. She pushed her glasses to the top of her head as she dug through her large purse. Torrance wanted to laugh: She was absolutely frantic to get at the ringing phone.
“Hello?” Her soft voice was breathless. The fact that she pulled the glasses down and began reading the book again made his mouth twist.
“You’re supposed to be packing, aren’t you?”
Cate’s head jerked up. The book slipped and she fumbled it, before catching it against the front of her thighs. “Torrance?” She looked around, and he leaned against the wall, casually. She’d completely missed him, with all the groups of people walking around. “It’s you, isn’t it?”
“Yes, Cate. It’s me. I think I asked you a question.”
The book slid back into the rack. “I was just looking for reading material. I figured there might be quite the wait for you to get home.” She eased into one of the chairs, and he noticed her shift from side to side, biting her lip. A laugh came from his mouth.
“You’re watching me right now, aren’t you?” She was smiling, and damn, if it wasn’t a beautiful one.
“I am. You’re adorable.”
She paused and looked around again. As if gravity had suddenly kicked in, her head turned slowly, and she looked right at him. Torrance’s heart felt like it was pounding through his chest. He hung up the phone and walked forward. Slowly, she stood.
Torrance glanced down at his watch. “Have you been reading books since you left the diner?”
Her eyes rolled, and he could tell she was embarrassed. “Yeah. I must have lost track of time.”
“I’d say so. You left over half an hour ago.” He pulled out the book he was sure she’d put back into the rack. The cover was of a historical couple entwined in each other’s arms. Good ol’ Fabio held a redhead, whose dress was falling off her shoulders. In the background was a cliff with the view of water far below.
The book was snatched out of his hand so fast that he looked at Cate, surprised. “Well, well. I see my new submissive has quite the secret.” He laughed. “Historical romance is a far cry from what you’re about to be introduced to.”
Cate pushed the book back into its place. “I once read a book by Thea Devine. It was a historical. Not romance, but more erotica. The man had a hidden sex room. It was quite the story.”
“Really?” Torrance looked through the glass of the little shop. “Do they sell those kinds of stories here?”
Her eyebrows rose at him. “You want to read one?”
“Why not? You can read it to me out loud as we lie in bed at night. I’m interested to hear these stories you speak of. Tell me. Are they extremely graphic?”
“Very,” Cate whispered. “About as graphic as it can get.”
Torrance grabbed her hand and pulled her into the little shop. “Show me these stories. You pick out one you want to read. And not one you’ve already read. I want to see your expressions as you speak through the sex.”
Cate licked her lips and nodded. Her hand tightened on his and he looked down, surprised. He’d forgotten he still held it. The act, so innocent, was extremely intimate. He’d held plenty of women’s hands before, but they’d never given him this sort of reaction.
“Well, we could get a book by Megan Hart. It’s not historical, but I’m sure it’s good. Or…”
The title Stranger caught his attention and he reached up for the book. The cover of the two people lying on a bed had him nodding his head. “Read me this one.”
“But you didn’t even look at the back. What if it isn’t appealing to you? Don’t you want to know what the story is about?”
Torrance glanced at the words. “It says she pays people for sex. It’ll w
ork. Let’s go.”
“Wait, where are we going?” He pulled her faster through the aisles. When they got to the counter he handed over the book and his card. Cate stood perfectly still and quiet. He’d really have to get her to stop questioning him so much. She seemed very nervous. Torrance was really going to have to get her to trust him.
The woman handed over the bag containing the book, and he threw her a smile. The moment they crossed the threshold of the door Cate opened her mouth. He came to a stop and threw her a look. Her mouth immediately closed.
“You’re working your way to wearing a ball gag if you keep this up. One more question,” he warned.
The music became louder as Torrance led her around the corner and headed toward his gallery. He wasn’t sure why he felt the need to take her there. Maybe it was to see her reaction to the place, or maybe it was more to give the girls at the front desk something to talk about when he showed her off. Regardless, he wanted her there, by his side.
“Torrance?” The pure power behind her voice was something he hadn’t expected. He slowed down and turned to her. She stepped closer to his body, cautiously reached up and pulled his head down. The smell of her subtle perfume had him closing his eyes and inhaling deeply. “I’m not wearing panties, remember? You’re dragging me along so fast I can’t hold my dress down. If one more person sees my ass…or more, I think I’m going to die of humiliation.”
Tears were in her eyes and Torrance knew it had taken a lot for her to speak up.
“I apologize. I got lost in my excitement. Here,” he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into his side, “is this better?”
“Yes, Master,” she said, her tone quiet.
“Ah, you learn quickly.” He leaned over and kissed her head. Only after the act did he realize what he’d done. The pure shock hit him hard. Why were things coming so natural with her? It was like he’d known her forever. The comfort level was automatic. Torrance groaned, and Cate immediately looked up. When she didn’t ask him why, he was thankful. “Here we are.” He opened the glass door and led her inside the extravagant entrance.
She gasped. “How did you know? I love this place.” Torrance looked up at Jill and Hillary, as Cate pulled him in the direction of the historical exhibit in the back. Jill’s mouth opened. He’d forgotten that she was covering for Veronica. It probably shouldn’t have mattered, anyway. She was with a new master now. And they’d both agreed that it was time to call it off. Hell, it’d been over a year since they’d been together. Yet, he didn’t miss the hurt she displayed on her face.
He focused back on Cate and smiled at her excitement. She looked like a kid in a candy store. Now, that he liked.
“I found this place over a year ago. Every Thursday I try to come here to look at the paintings in the back. They’re my favorite. I think the first time I came I stayed for over three hours just staring in awe. They’re magnificent.”
“Odd that I haven’t seen you around.”
Cate looked back at him. “You come here too?”
He laughed. “You could say that.”
“It is odd. Do you come on Thursdays?” They stopped in front of the first painting and she glanced at it, but turned back to him.
“Every single one. And usually Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, too, but Tuesdays I take off.”
Cate’s eyes got big. “You work here,” she exclaimed. “Wow, what an awesome job. It must be a dream to stare at all of these amazing artworks.”
“Actually, this is my gallery, Cate. I thought I’d bring you here to see it. I wasn’t aware you’d already been before. To know that you have, and you love the place so much, makes me happier than you know.”
She took a step back. “You’re…”
“Torrance McLaren.”
“McLaren Gallery,” she whispered. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at the floor. Whatever she was thinking, he didn’t think it was good. “You know,” she breathed in deep, and opened her purse. When she withdrew her hand, she pushed the key into his palm. “I’m sorry, but I can’t be your sub. It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. McLaren, but I have to be going.”
Torrance was sure his mouth was going to drop to the ground any second. Was she just blowing him off because of who he was? Unbelievable. Why?
The sound of Cate’s heels echoed loudly throughout the gallery as she hurried away. He glanced over the large black counter where Jill and Hillary were. They were both looking down, but he knew they weren’t naïve to what just happened––especially Jill, who had a smile on her face as she pretended to be looking over something. Torrance shook his head and caught up with Cate just as she was leaving out the front door.
“Cate, wait.” When she didn’t stop he lunged in front of her. “Cate, look at me.” Slowly, her eyes lifted and met his. “What just happened in there? Everything was perfectly fine until you found out who I was. Why would that change anything?”
She laughed. “Why, you ask? Oh my god, Torrance. Really? Look at you. You’re mister hot shot, successful, sexy, gallery owner. I know you’re just training me, but I don’t like drama. You probably have girls knocking at your door at all hours of the night. I mean,” her hand waved toward the door, “you even have Barbie dolls behind the counter. If that doesn’t say enough, then I don’t know what does.” She swallowed hard. “I told Dr. Henry that I wanted to feel secure. Safe.” She emphasized the word. “And I hate to repeat it again, but no drama. It’s hard for me to see how I’ll get that from you.”
Torrance listened to her. Really listened. If it was so important to her, then he wanted to make sure she felt all of those things. He wasn’t sure what it was, but there was a dark secret within Cate. A hurt or pain that she held deep inside. It hit him hard, and he couldn’t deny the need to protect her from whatever it was. She might have used the excuse of girls for drama, but he knew it went far beyond that. “I assure you that girls are not knocking on my door at all hours. Cate, you don’t have anything to worry about. You will feel safe and secure with me, I promise. I don’t think you understand. When you come to live under my roof, you belong to me. I won’t let anyone hurt you. Not even myself. Now cheer up and trust me. You’re beautiful, and sexy. Surely you see that.” One of her eyebrows rose at him. “You are,” he said, matter-of-factly. He held the key to her. “Let me train you. You won’t regret it, I promise.”
Cate looked at the key and after a few seconds picked it up. “I really hope not,” she whispered.
Chapter Four
The sound of Cate’s bags falling to the floor was loud in the silent sub-penthouse. She couldn’t believe her eyes as she walked up to the full-length windows that surrounded the living area. Views of the river and countryside could be seen off in the distance, and lights from the city were just beginning to glow brightly underneath. It was beyond breathtaking. She couldn’t believe she was going to be living here for the next month…and with Torrance McLaren, of all people. Jesus. What had she gotten herself into? She was so pissed at Dr. Henry. He should have warned her before throwing her into the lion’s den. This man was going to eat her alive.
The sun was just about set and the countryside was quickly vanishing from lack of light. She almost didn’t want it to disappear so quickly. The landscape reminded her of one of the many beautiful paintings in Torrance’s gallery. She could stare at them for hours and never get bored.
The door opened behind her and she spun around to see her master. She thought she’d have a little more time before he arrived. At least she had made it here before he did. The consequences for her being late were unimaginable in her mind.
“You’re here.” He smiled and pulled off his jacket, laying it across the black leather sofa. “Now comes the routine. When I enter, you kneel and await my instructions.”
Cate walked quickly to where he was standing and kneeled before him. Her eyes stared at the wooden flooring beneath her knees.
“Good girl. Have you had dinner?”
“No,
Master.” She watched his feet step around her and walk further into the room. The need to follow where he was going almost made her turn her head, but she caught herself and remained absolutely still.
Keys dropped onto what sounded like the surface of a table. “I really don’t feel like going out, tonight. I’ll order in, and have them bring it up. We’re going to have quite the night ahead of us.”
Cate wasn’t sure if she should answer or not. She quickly decided she should. “Yes, Master.”
“Stand, doll. You did well. Not once did you look at me. That’s the way it should be.” Torrance unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it out of his pants. The defined abs that became visible had her eyes going big and her head jerking to the floor. All that was holy, no man should look that good. He wasn’t just a god … he was a damn torture device. Her stomach twisted painfully with the need to explore his body. It’d been far too long since she’d been with a man.
“Look at me.” Torrance walked forward and tossed his shirt on the ground. “My rules when you’re here, when I take off my clothes, you look. Not at my face, but at my body. You take in what is yours.” The words, so possessive, made Cate instantly wet. He lifted her hand and placed her palm between his pecs. Slowly, he moved her touch down a path over his muscle. Cate pushed her fingertips against his skin. “The touching is a no-no with almost every master. You don’t touch unless told to. Your new master will probably want you to stare at the ground. Not me,” he whispered.
As Cate’s hand met the material of his pants, she could see herself shaking. The deep-cut V led only to one thing, and she wanted to see it. Taste it. What would he do if she rubbed her finger past the lining? Would it be overstepping her bounds as a submissive? He did have her hand touching him to begin with. Cate pushed back the fears and lifted her palm. Slowly, she brought her fingertips to his waistband. Torrance’s breathing deepened and she hesitated only a second before she dipped past the hidden barrier of the material.
The 30 Day Sub Page 2
