Waiting on April

by Bella Settarra

  He threw the cash on the table for his own meal and ran out after her. The area was packed though, and he lost her in the crowd. Probably just as well, he thought. She’d looked real pissed at the sight of him.

  * * *

  April arrived at work that night with a large lump in her throat. She was done with crying though. Now she was just plain angry. She had only agreed to meet Greg today so that he would leave her place last night, and now she regretted it big time. The guy was an absolute asshole. How could she have ever thought he was so wonderful? Now that she’d had time to think it through, he wasn’t even that good looking!

  OK, when he was being charming and smiling all over the place he had been quite handsome, but as soon as she said something he wasn’t happy about he would snarl and sneer and make all manner of ugly expressions. Showing his true colors, probably.

  He had certainly shown them today. She had still been reeling from his insistence on calling their break up a “little tiff” and she had been dying to wipe that supercilious smirk right off his face. He had shown up early—something he had never done when they were dating—and had chosen a cozy little table in the corner. Of course, she pretended not to notice him and took one of the tables right in the middle of the room, ordering herself a cup of tea as she sat down. She paid upfront too, just in case she needed to make a quick getaway.

  When he noticed her a few minutes later he had come over to her, shaking his head. “I’ve already got us a table, sweetheart,” he had informed her, obviously expecting her to jump up and follow him over to the other table.

  She had feigned surprise, telling him to pull up a chair, just as the waiter had arrived with her cup of tea. Greg looked furious and told her that he had already bought her a coffee, gesturing, yet again, to the other table. His face had turned red with anger as they looked over to see that another couple had just slid into the seats he was indicating, assuming the table was free, April guessed. She had to try really hard to hide a snigger.

  “Well, I suppose I’d better sit here.” he huffed, sitting opposite her, and ordered himself another coffee. He had moaned that it wasn’t very private sitting in the middle of the diner, evidently oblivious to the fact that that was the whole point. She had forgotten just how dumb he could be.

  April had wrapped her fingers around her warm cup just as his arms stretched across the table for hers, and he seemed surprised when she rebuffed his desire to hold her hands.

  He talked a lot, dominating the whole conversation, although he really didn’t have anything new to say. At first he seemed to have assumed they were back together.

  “I knew once you’d slept on it you’d realize that I was right,” he told her with that sickly smile of his. “We belong together. All that other stuff was just stupid.”

  She had let him prattle on for a while, telling her how wrong she had been and how much she had overreacted, saying nothing until he paused to take a sip of his drink.

  “What a load of trash you talk,” she told him, pasting her own sickly smile across her face. “You blew it big time when you cheated on me and now I’m not taking you back, end of story.” She casually took a drink of her tea while watching his face turn redder and redder. He opened his mouth to reply, but she cut him off just in time.

  “And if you turn up on my doorstep again I will call the cops and have you slung in jail for harassing me. You’ve no business at my place or anywhere near me. I don’t love you, Greg. I wonder now what I ever saw in you. So just do me a favor and leave me alone, will you?”

  She was proud at how calm she managed to keep her voice. It was surprising how good it felt to be able to tell him exactly what she thought, knowing this time he was sober enough to understand every word. Being in a public place, right in the middle of a busy diner with staff constantly walking past them, she felt quite safe. He wouldn’t dare make a scene here. Or so she had thought.

  She gritted her teeth as she got changed for work. She tried to block the rest out, but there was no way she’d ever forget the next part.

  When he had shot to his feet shouting that she didn’t mean what she was saying, she was quite shocked. She thought he was going to continue with a barrage of abuse, but he seemed to think better of it, judging by the way he quickly looked around at all the customers gawping at them and then marched out of the place, leaving her to pick up his tab.

  She had never felt so embarrassed in her life as she glanced around to see everyone staring at her. Every instinct had told her to just get up and run, but the waiter was already onto the fact that he hadn’t paid, so she had to stay put to avoid causing an even bigger scene. Her only consolation was that these people didn’t know her and she would probably never see any of them ever again. That was, until she spotted Master Steve Ratner.

  Her heart lurched and she felt herself grow even hotter as anger mixed with mortification. They just stared at one another for what felt like forever. What in hell was he doing here? He must have been spying on her! She was just about to jump up and go over there and tell him exactly what she thought of his antics when the waiter suddenly turned up with the check. She paid him as quickly as she could and couldn’t wait to get out of there. Master Steve would have to wait.

  As soon as she was away from all those staring eyes she ran as fast as she could through the crowd. She knew Master Steve was likely to follow her given half a chance, and there was no way she was going to give him that. She’d hopped into a cab and cried all the way home as hot, angry tears streamed down her face.

  Once she got back to her house she locked the door, switched off her cell, and lay on her bed, letting the emotions sweep through her. After a few hours of feeling hurt and upset she gradually became angry and determined. She had had enough of being made to feel bad about stuff that wasn’t her fault. She was sick of being victimized. It was time to start sticking up for herself for once…

  * * *

  Although service was quite busy tonight, for her it seemed to drag. She tried to lose herself in her work, paying extra attention to her guests. It paid off in tips all right, but that wasn’t why she did it. She couldn’t wait to be out of there tonight. Her heart thumped every time she looked up at the door, and she dreaded seeing Master Steve again. He didn’t usually dine in the restaurant unless he was having a meeting with some of the other Doms, but she wouldn’t put it past him to show up tonight.

  “Are you OK, hun?” Heaven Blake smiled at her as she passed one of her tables. The beautiful redhead looked genuinely concerned.

  “I’m fine, thanks, just a little tired.” April did her best to smile.

  Heaven nodded. “Soon be over,” she assured her, glancing at the clock.

  April sure hoped so. She had almost finished serving all her tables; just a couple more coffees and she was done. Luckily most of the other stations were almost empty too. Good. Although they all had their own sections to serve, they helped each other out toward the end of the night if necessary. No one could go home until they were all finished, anyhow, so it made sense, and besides, they all knew only too well how frustrating it was when theirs were the only diners remaining in the restaurant.

  It was a massive relief when the last of the guests left and they all surrounded Dominic Ray, the enigmatic maitre d’, for the curtain call.

  “Well done everyone. A great night’s work from you all. I’ve received some very complimentary remarks from several of the guests.” He smiled. He really was a handsome guy. Master Dominic was always immaculately dressed for work, and his short hair was perfectly groomed. He was clean-shaven, and had really dark eyes which matched his hair. His muscles bulged through his starched dress shirt, and April knew from memory that his chest was completely shaved. He didn’t play in the dungeon very often, but when he did it was a sight to behold. She had never seen him have sex there, but he was an expert at giving the subs exactly what they needed.

  The thought made her mind drift momentarily to Steve Ratner. He was so warm and
caring, not half as aloof as Dominic Ray. Master Steve was kind and thoughtful, and a great listener. April recalled the hours she had spent telling him about Greg Preston and how betrayed she had been by him. Master Steve was a massive support. In fact, there had been times when she wouldn’t have been surprised if he had wanted to go around and sort the guy out once and for all.

  Master Steve was a cop though, and knew better. He was there for her and she appreciated him for that. However, she didn’t appreciate him being there today at Reno’s. That was just plain humiliating!

  She was suddenly aware that everyone was moving around her and realized that Dominic must have finished his speech and dismissed them all for the night. Slowly she followed the girls toward the door and out to the changing room.

  “Phew, glad that’s over. I don’t think me legs have stopped all night.” Tuesday’s Irish accent could be heard above the murmurs.

  “You’re very quiet, April,” Summer commented as she pulled on her jeans. “Are you OK?”

  April smiled. “I am now,” she replied. “Just been a long night, that’s all. I’ll be glad to see my bed tonight.”

  “You not coming to play then?” Tuesday looked surprised. “Master Dan gets off duty soon, so I’m looking forward to a jolly good thrashing!”

  “As usual,” Summer joked. “I think the St. Andrew’s Cross is your second home, isn’t it, Tuesday?”

  Tuesday giggled. “You might be right there, lass.”

  April gave her first real smile of the night. “Well, I’ll see you all tomorrow then. I just wish I had your energy!”

  She took up her purse and followed some of the other girls out the door. She gasped when she saw Master Steve waiting in the foyer. He was dressed casually in jeans and a shirt which was partially unbuttoned. It wasn’t his night to be Dungeon Monitor, but April had somehow assumed he would be down there anyway.

  “April, can I have a word please?” His voice was commanding, and April was aware of some of the other girls looking around at her as he approached.

  Damn! She had been hoping to lose herself in the crowd again—not that she expected to see him anyway.

  “I need to be off tonight, Master Steve,” she told him curtly as he took her to one side.

  “Come and have a drink with me,” he urged. “It doesn’t have to take long.”

  She shook her head. “No thanks. I want to get home.”

  “Let me drive you, then. It’s awful out. No point in getting soaked.” He had a large hand on her arm and she felt his heat sear her body.

  She stared up into his hooded eyes. “No thank you.” Her words were deliberate and slow.

  He sighed. “Please, April. I need to speak to you. I need to know you’re all right.”

  “I’m fine, thank you.” She spoke through clenched teeth. As her ire ratcheted up a notch her immediate thought was, how dare he be worried about me? He shouldn’t have even been there today.

  He didn’t let go of her arm. “Jesus, April, won’t you just talk to me?”

  Great, he was getting annoyed now too.

  “There’s nothing to say.” She shook her head defiantly.

  “I saw you today. You know I did. What in hell was that all about? What did the fuckwad want with you?” His dark eyes were staring at her now.

  “Nothing. Why don’t you just mind your own business?” She snapped at him as she wrenched her arm from his massive hand.

  She would never forget the hurt in his eyes as she pulled away from him and ran for the door. He didn’t follow. She ran all the way to the bus stop, dismayed that hot tears began to pour down her face. Luckily the bus arrived just as she got there and she quickly boarded and slumped into a seat, burying her face in her hands.

  She felt sick. She didn’t mean to be nasty to Master Steve, but she really couldn’t handle him right now. Somehow it felt like he was judging her. Maybe wondering to himself why she had even been with a guy like Preston in the first place.

  Master Steve knew how much she hated him for what he had done to her. It was no wonder he was curious about what they were doing together. Guilt engulfed her as the vision of Master Steve’s hurt expression lingered in her mind. She shouldn’t have been mean to him. He’d been nothing but kind and supportive to her and this was how she treated him. The realization only made her feel worse and she sobbed into her hands, glad that there weren’t many people on the bus tonight.

  As soon as she got home she climbed into a hot shower and tried to wash the dreadful day from her body. Last night had been so wonderful in the dungeon with Master Steve. How had it all gone wrong so quickly? She cursed Greg Preston once more. If he hadn’t shown up here last night, none of this would have happened. That guy was trouble with a capital “T.”

  She clambered into bed without even turning on the light and curled up with her pillow. Feeling physically and mentally drained, she tried to clear her mind and welcomed a good night’s sleep. She waited for it to come. She tossed and turned.

  She was glad she had told Greg that she wasn’t interested in him. It had been worth it just to see that look on his face. Would Master Steve have heard her though? Would he just think they were on a date together? Is that why he looked so worried tonight? Surely he wouldn’t think she was that stupid? The look on Master Steve’s handsome face haunted her, and she wished more than anything she hadn’t seen him tonight.

  It was mid-morning when she awoke. The rain was pouring and the sky was gray, much like her mood. She pulled on a comfy pair of sweat pants and a warm sweater, as well as a thick pair of fluffy socks. Feeling much more cozy, she made herself a bowl of warm porridge for breakfast and settled by the kitchen window. She loved her little house, and it was the best place to be on a wet, windy day like today.

  The thought of having to go to work tonight caused a lurch in her stomach. Not only because it meant going out in this weather, but also because she might run into Master Steve again. He was bound to want to speak to her after last night, and who could blame him? She hadn’t meant to be horrid to him.

  A knock at the door made her jump. She put her dishes in the sink and went over, a little reluctant to let the cold into her snug little domain.

  “April Myers?” A good-looking guy in his late twenties stood on her doorstep.

  “Yes.”

  “I’m Mark Trammell. You don’t know me but we’ve got a mutual acquaintance. Do you mind if I have a quick word?”

  He looked pleasant enough, and she was intrigued to know what he wanted. He shivered and she felt a little sorry for him standing out there in the rain, but she knew better than to let him in. She secretly cursed herself for forgetting to put the chain on the door. She supposed a part of her had been hoping to see Master Steve there instead of some stranger.

  “What’s it about?” She tried hard to keep the tremble from her voice.

  He sighed, shivering again. “I know Greg Preston,” he admitted.

  “I’ve told him I don’t want anything to do with him.” She felt herself grow angry again. What in hell was he sending his friends around here for? Was he about to fight Greg’s corner for him?

  “That’s good.” He smiled.

  “Oh.” That wasn’t the reaction she had expected. “Are you a friend of his then?”

  Mark sighed. “Not really. Look, can I come in, just for a minute?”

  She felt bad for him standing there in nothing but his jeans and work shirt. He must have been freezing. He was certainly soaked.

  “OK.” She stood back and allowed him into her warm hall. She was pleased to stop the cold air from seeping into her house anyhow. She led him into her living room.

  “Lovely house,” he said, looking around.

  She smiled. “It was my aunt’s. She left it to me a couple of years ago.”

  “Lucky you.”

  She noticed his jaw tighten a little.

  “So, how do you know Greg?”

  He sank his large frame into her little armchair and s
he winced at the damp patch he was already making. She had also noticed that his muddy shoes had left prints in her cream carpet too. She sighed. This hadn’t been such a good idea after all.

  “He’s a friend of my sister, Mary-Lou,” the guy said, running a hand though his wet hair. His hair was quite long and dark, and dripped onto the chintz fabric of the chair. He was unshaven and his stubble was quite thick around his chin. She wondered if he was intentionally growing a beard or just hadn’t bothered to shave in a while.

  April frowned. “Mary-Lou Trammell? I don’t know her.” She shook her head.

  “You used to go out with Greg Preston though?”

  He was sitting forward, peering at her now. She felt a little wary and shifted uncomfortably on the small sofa.

  “Yes. We were together for a while.” She felt an ache in her gut and wasn’t entirely sure why she was telling him this.

  “Do you still love him?” His tone was harsh, accusing almost.

  “No.” She felt annoyed. How dare he come here and ask her that? “We split up over six months ago if you must know. And to be honest I don’t think I ever did love him, though I thought I did at the time. What’s it to you, anyhow?”

  She stood up with her hands on her hips.

  He stood up too, towering over her.

  “Then why were you with him yesterday at the diner? Looked like a cozy little date to me!” He sneered.

  “The fuck it was! And it’s none of your goddamn business anyway! Have you been spying on me? Get out! I want you out of my house right now.” She screeched at him, pointing to the door.

  “Oh, that’s just where you’re wrong, slut! It is my business when you’re fucking with my sister’s boyfriend!” He hollered, showing no sign of leaving.