Oh, shit.
“Don’t you trust your top Doms to make sure of any new member? Seriously, Gabe. I’m not going to tell Andrew just how little faith you have in his judgement, but maybe you should talk to him, if you really doubt him that much.”
“Fine. He’s a wonderful prospect. Just a super, duper candidate Dom. Go ahead and make whatever deal you and Andrew see fit. It’s clear to me two have already made up your minds, conspiring against me, your boss, the man who signs your paycheck, the man who…”
“The man who is distracting me from getting my work done. Andrew has called a meeting for this evening to discuss the upcoming training session. I’m looking forward to working with Carter one on one.”
“What do you mean, working with Carter? You assist all the Doms and subs.”
“Yes, normally, but I was thinking that it might be nice to work with one exclusively. It has been a while since I’ve played with just one. Training Carter will help get me into the exclusivity mindset.”
“But if are you going to be working with him on the system upgrade or conversion or whatever it is, won’t it be weird if by day you are talking debits and credits, he’s tying you up and, er, playing with you?”
“Maybe, maybe not. It’s not like I’m letting him collar me or something… at least not yet. Now finish signing the contract.”
“I’ll sign off on the software contract, but I haven’t made my mind up on the consulting. I have to talk to Andrew first and get his take on the computer geek before I agree.”
“Yes, fine. But one way or another, he’s already been accepted into the training course. You will not kick him out of the class, do you hear me Gabriel Montgomery?”
Gabriel felt his stomach churn at the thought. He thought he might be physically ill. He was too late and now he was going to have to watch her playing with Carter Fucking Collins in his own damned club.”
“And I think he’s got a lot of potential as a Dom. Wait until you meet him, Gabriel. I think you’ll like him.”
He stood up so abruptly he felt light headed for a moment.
“I doubt it, but I’ll give him a chance. He’d better not mess up my accounting system. If he does, I’m taking any losses out of your ass!”
Amanda watched Gabriel stomp away. He hadn’t even met Carter and he was jealous. Good!
“Don’t you dare slam my door, Gabriel Montgomery!”
Chapter Fourteen
Gabriel stomped down the hallway. Damn, he wanted to hit something. Or maybe kick something.
“You still having problem with your ankle boss?”
“No, Andrew. I always make this face when I walk.”
Andrew just stuck his tongue out. Disrespectful Dom.
“Say,” he asked in his most casual tone, “About that next series of training classes…”
“Yes…” Andrew grinned in the most annoying way.
“I’ve been thinking about the pairings. Isn’t Cara helping us out this time?”
“Yes she is, boss. She’s going to be taking the role Amanda usually takes. She’ll be helping out all the Doms and subs and she’ll be available for any demonstrations you want to do.”
“Yes, well, are you sure that’s the best use of her skills? I am thinking she’d do well paired with that software consulting hack…”
“He’s not a hack. His name is Carter Collins and I told you, I’m going to be his training sub.”
Gabriel nearly jumped out of his skin at the sound of Amanda’s voice.
“What do you mean by sneaking up on me like that woman, and why were you eavesdropping on a private conversation?”
“Private? I could hear you yelling all the way down the hall in my office. As for Carter, he’s a very well respected consultant and we’ll be getting a huge bargain if he agrees to do this install for us. Of course, you still have to sign off the consulting contract. You’ve got to make your mind before training starts tomorrow, Gabriel. He in high demand and he’s only agreed to this job as a favor to me. He had more than enough clients to book him up from now through to next year.”
“A favor?” Gabriel put as much scorn into the word as he could. “And exactly what kind of favor do you have to do him back? Is that why you want to act as his submissive during training? Is that why you are planning on being exclusively his during training because if he’s pressuring you into this, I’ll put a stop to it right now. And if you are doing it because you think I’m too cheap to pay for his services…”
“No, no, no, Gabriel. One has nothing to do with the other. One is business, your business. The other is strictly pleasure. I like Carter and I think we could be good together.” She stood. “And if you are done, I have to go get going.”
Gabe checked his watch and looked at her. She smiled.
“I’ve got a spa appointment. Going to get waxed and buffed and such to get ready for tomorrow.”
And then she was gone. Gabriel felt his stomach churn as he watched her departing back. She was doing all that to prepare for Carter. What kind name was Carter anyway? A jerk, pussy name. The guy was a computer consultant. A nerd. He probably wouldn’t know how to appreciate a woman as magnificent as Amanda. Fine. He’d let her pair off with the dweeb. Then, when he couldn’t satisfy her, Gabe would come to the rescue and she’d be so grateful she’d fall into his arms.
He nodded. He had a plan. And tomorrow, he’d be at the class, giving the opening talk like he always did. He’d size up Mr. Collins. He could picture him now in his mind. Probably thin and weedy looking. Thinning hair. Glasses. Maybe a receding chin. Definitely not a threat. In fact, this could possibly work out in his favor. He’d make sure he stacked the deck I his favor, though, just to be sure.
Amanda walked as quickly as she could without it looking like she was running away from Gabriel. She headed out to the parking lot. Twenty minutes later arrived at the spa.
Jane and Maggie were waiting for her. They were playing tomorrow night with the Ben and Rick, the men they loved. Together they headed into the spa. After getting primped and waxed, they lounged together in the whirl pool and had a snack.
“So how are things going with you and Gabe?” Jane enquired tentatively. “Any progress?”
“I never had a chance to tell you how he reacted to me taking the accounting job, right? He was furious, ranting and raving in that way he has that he thinks intimidates people. And then I told him that I had decided to do just one more training session and then I was going to find another club to play at. I didn’t tell him about finding a Dom. I thought that would be a bit much. So I told Andrew and I figure he’ll tell Gabe.”
“And how did Gabe react to the idea that you might change clubs?” Maggie wanted to know
“A lot of huffing and puffing and blustering.”
“How did he react to the news that you were going to pair off with Carter for the training session?” asked Jane.
“He blew up bigtime. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he was jealous.”
Jane started laughing. Maggie looked puzzled. “Carter?”
“He’s the computer consultant and a new club member. Andrew and Ben both interviewed him and he’ll be a great addition” Jane explained. “But he also doesn’t feel that he has enough experience to play on his own yet. He signed up for the three month training session. In return, he’ll do the upgrade for free. Win, win for everyone. Except for Gabe.”
“So Gabe’s not happy to have Carter at the club or paired up with Amanda for training?”
“He went ape shit!”
“Wow, I wish I’d been there to see that!”
“Me too. I don’t suppose you filmed his meltdown.”
“Sorry, ladies. I wish I’d thought of it though.” Amanda giggled. “Almost better was his reaction when I told him that I was coming to the spa with you guys to get primped and prettified in preparation for tomorrow.”
There was a moment of silent contemplation as they all pictured Gabe’s reaction to Amanda�
�s news.
“About this Carter” Maggie began tentatively, “Any change that you might actually like the guy? As a potential Dom, I mean.”
Amanda laughed, “Carter will be a wonderful Dom after he finishes training, but he’s just got one teeny little flaw.”
“What’s that?”
“He’s into ménage.”
“You think that’s a flaw? Of the top of my head, I could give you the names of a dozen subs who would be thrilled to meet a guy who is into ménage. Wait, you mean the two guys, one girl type of ménage, right?”
“Yup. I’ve met his ménage partner, Alex. He’s even hotter. Alex is an experienced Dom and has been a member of Club Hades for years, although he hasn’t been around that much in the last few year. They are both straight and both crazy in love with a submissive named Angelina.”
“You witch! Teasing us like that!”
“Hey, what can I saw, I wanted to see if I could sell you two on my interest in Carter.”
“And why would you do that?”
Amanda took a deep breath. “Because at tomorrow night’s training session, I’m going to try to sell Gabriel on the idea that I’m seriously interested in Carter.”
“And does Carter know what you are up to?”
“It was his idea, or rather his girlfriend’s. Not him taking classes. He has dabbled before, but now that he and Alex are both serious about a woman who is a submissive, he has decided that he needs some formal training so he can figure out his own limits and determine if he can handle an actual BDSM relationship rather than just playing at it now and then. Anyway, I was having lunch with him and Angelina. I ended up telling her about Gabe. She is the one who suggested that I consider playing with exclusively with Carter… or at least throw the idea out there and see how Gabe reacted.”
“Carter does sound like a great guy and she sounds awesome. Do you think she’d like to join the Kinky Book Club?”
“I’ll ask. You guys will love her!”
“Amanda, does Carter realize that if Gabriel snaps, he could end up snapping Carter in two?” Maggie’s tone was concerned.
“Carter may be wiry but he has a black belt in two martial arts. He can handle himself if it comes to that.”
“So what happens if this doesn’t work and Gabriel doesn’t…?” Maggie trailed off.
Amanda sat up straight and looked at her friends. “If it doesn’t work, then I accept that Gabe is a lost cause and I move on. I do exactly what I told Gabe I was thinking of doing. I join another club and then I start looking seriously for a Dom of my own.” She teared up as she tried to smile. “Unless one of you know a kinky version of one of those online dating sites I can use!”
Chapter Fifteen
For the first time since she participated in the original training session, she was nervous. No, more than that, she was terrified. What if she paired off with Carter and Gabriel didn’t care? That was her biggest fear. How would she even be able to last the full three months session?
She closed her eyes and tried to steady her nerves. If tonight went badly she might just pack her bags and steal away in the night. She could stay with her parents back east until she found another job. She took a deep breath. A hand touched her back and she nearly jumped out of her skin.
“I am so sorry. I tried to stomp my feet, but I guess you were preoccupied.” She relaxed when she saw who it was. He hugged her tight to his side.
“Oh, Carter. I’m so sorry for dragging you into the middle of this. I’m starting to think that I made a terrible mistake. Gabriel has made it clear that while he likes scening with me during training sessions when there’s an audience…”
“Amanda…”
“No, let me finish, Carter. Gabe won’t even play with me in the club. He’s not going to care if I partner with you. I don’t know what I’m thinking. It’s time I faced facts and moved on, not three months from now. Now. I’m sorry. I’ll be with you tonight, but then I’ll introduce you to Cara. She’ll be a great training partner.”
“Amanda!”
“Yes?”
“Is that him, Gabe?”
She turned around and looked where Carter was pointing. Gabe staring at them. She’d read the expression staring daggers before, but until now, she had never actually seen it.
“I’m pretty sure he cares. If looks could kill, I’d be dead on the floor. Now play along.” He guided her so that her back was to Gabe. Then he leaned down and kissed her cheek although from the back it probably looked like he was kissing her mouth. It was one heck of a long kiss that went on until she felt a hand on her shoulder. Gabe. She’d know his touch any place.
“Hands off, computer-boy. If you’re planning to be a Dom, you are going to have to show some self-restraint. Amanda, come with me.”
He shifted his grip to her upper arm and tugged. She tugged back. Carter stepped away, grinning.
“I think I’ll just head on into the classroom and find a seat. I’m really looking forward to today’s class and out first scene together, Amanda.” Then he winked at her before strolling away. She turned to Gabriel expecting steam to be coming out of his ears but he looked surprisingly calm.
Gabe looked at Amanda and as Carter slipped into the classroom and had a sudden moment of clarity. He had decided that he was ready to have a relationship with her and he hadn’t even considered her feelings in the matter. Maybe she had stopped loving him while he was playing the coward. If so, he needed to step aside and not hold her back.
He knew he had the skills to overwhelm her sexually, but that wasn’t fair to either of them. If this guy Carter was what she wanted, then he would step gracefully aside. If Carter wasn’t the one for her, then Gabe decided he would do anything in his power to help her including providing recommendation to other clubs to help her find the Dom she wanted.
“Do you like him?”
“What? Carter?”
“Do you like him, I mean, really like him? Do you have feelings for him? Do you want him to be your Dom?”
Chapter Sixteen
Amanda looked at Gabe. There was something different about him. He looked… sad. Suddenly she was tired. And she didn’t want to play games or trick Gabe into being with her. She’d spent the last nine months hoping and praying that he’d finally see her as a more than just a training partner. If she was going to move on, she was going to do it with honesty and maturity, not by playing games.
“No. I have no interest in Carter that way.”
“But you want a Dom of your own.”
“I do. I’ve spent nine month waiting around, hoping… Look, Gabriel, I’m not saying this to make you feel uncomfortable or guilty, but you’ve been the one I’ve wanted since the day we met. But it’s clear to me that you’ll never look at me the way that I look at you, and I’m good with that. I really am. I had this stupid plan to use Carter to make you jealous and get you to notice me, but I can’t go through with it.
“I owe you honesty. You’ve never played games with me. You’ve never pretended to feel something you didn’t. It was me who built our relationship up in my head and heart into something it wasn’t. I won’t leave you in the lurch, but I know now I have to leave. I’m not sure if I’ll just find another club around here or go back east. I can stay with my folks until I get a job. But I have to go. I can’t stand seeing you every day, working with you and knowing you’ll never be mine.”
For one long moment, Gabriel was silent. Then he reached out his hand.
“Hey, you two. Get in here. We’re ready to get started. And everything’s been set up according to your instruction, boss.” Gabriel swiveled his head and stared at Andrew who just grinned and held the door open.
Amanda sagged as he led her into the room. The moment was gone. Just as well.
Amanda felt a wave of sadness pass over her as she entered and took a seat with the Doms and subs who would be training the newbies. She would miss helping the trainees. Maybe she could perform a similar function when she found
a new club.
She forced herself to continue her review of the group. There her four unattached submissives. She, or whoever was taking over, would have their work cut out for them. She would recommend they have weekly get-togethers outside of class so they could support each other. There were also three established couples. They were often the most challenging to work with because they generally had different levels of interest in the lifestyle and they didn’t always find they had same limits once they go deeper into their training.
Amanda watched as Andrew started his usual opening talking about the purpose of the training classes and what the group was supposed to be learning and why. Then he had everyone introduce themselves and say what they expected to get out of the class.
She let herself drift off as he spoke. She knew what came next was Gabe’s standard talk on the responsibilities of the Dom and the sub and then Andrew would pair everyone off who needed a partner and then Gabe would take Cara to the front of the class and she would have to watch the man she loved with another woman.
Yes, this whole thing had been a mistake. She hated the thought of leaving the club in the lurch when she quit the accounting job, but she couldn’t stay here. She knew of a couple of good accountants who had been laid off when she was. She’d call them in the morning and see if any of them would be interested in the job. All of them could start right away.
And she could leave town all the quicker. All in all, moving back east was probably her best option. Putting a thousand miles between her and Gabe seemed like a great idea. She would go home tonight and run and hide and lick her wounds where she would never risk running into him by accident, not have the same circle of friends to tell her how happy he was playing with Cara. And maybe, after some time passed, she could start playing again and find someone for a relationship where her feelings were returned. No more handing around mooning over someone unattainable like a teenager with a crush.
Kinky Book Club Trilogy: Written Submission, unSubmissive and Undercover Submissive Page 18
