by Swann, Rylee
Dom snorts. “They’re in the next room playing quietly with Pru. I believe our nanny is a magician.”
“Or a witch.” We both laugh and I check the time on my cell phone. “I gotta go in a minute. You sure you got everything covered at the restaurant?”
He takes a last lingering look at Penny and straightens. “Yes. I’ll make sure everything is running smoothly and then Cris and I will join you before the show starts.” He ushers me from the room. “This is a big night for you and Jae and I’m very proud of you.”
“Don’t be late,” I say and then dash from the room before my emotions get the better of me and I hug him or something worse.
A lot has happened in the year since Jae, Penny and I came together as a perfect little family.
The move to Nashville was the best thing I could have ever done for myself. I love it here, and Jae and I are stupid happy. I found the loving, caring parents I never had in Jae’s mom and dad. They as much as adopted me into the family, which makes me think that terrible in-laws thing is a myth. I’ve not experienced it, even once.
I also opened a restaurant.
I’d toyed with the idea on and off during the time I worked under Dom at Longo Foods but never mentioned it to anyone. I suppose I wasn’t ready for the commitment, yet I always knew it was a good idea. I saw how people craved fast, simple yet healthy, restaurant quality food. We satisfied that need in the home kitchen, and I knew I could fill that niche for people who wanted the same when they ate out.
Nashville became the test market. I had to get Dom’s blessing since I wanted to market it under Dominant Health’s umbrella and he gave it to me without hesitation.
After much debate, Jae and I called it Walrus. I like the sound of it. What could be better than a hostess saying, “Hello, this is Walrus. Table for two at Walrus? The Walrus specials tonight are ju-ju eyeballs with a side of gumboot.” Hey, it made Jae laugh in delight, and it’s her happiness that matters most to me. Walrus serves only Dominant Health approved recipes. From there, the marketing was easy. The place is an enormous success, and Dom is thinking of helping me franchise it across the country.
However, tonight is my greatest undertaking of all.
And my beloved Jae is the star.
Over the past few months, I helped Jae land a few small venue singing gigs. She’d finally shared with me her disastrous attempts to become a singer and how stage fright had her running off any stage she attempted to perform on. It became my mission to give her this gift that she so desperately wanted. She wasn’t so sure about trying again but I cajoled her into going to a karaoke bar. I had to get up and sing with her the first time and she laughed all the way through it at my terrible voice. That made it a good experience for her, so I didn’t mind. I needed to do that twice more until she felt comfortable enough to sing on her own. She always captured the crowd’s attention—they adored her.
When I knew she was ready, I slowly moved her up to shows where she had to stand on a stage to perform. She threw up prior to that first one, and I told her she could cancel if she wanted, that it was no big deal. She wiped her mouth, splashed cold water on her face and said she wasn’t quitting. That’s when I knew that she really wanted to do this.
She loves singing and as much as she hates performing in front of a crowd, she loves it too. She wishes it wasn’t always such a battle to quell her fears before stepping onstage but the crowd’s love feeds her ego. When she’s onstage she shines. I’m so proud of her. I think she’s become addicted to the high she gets from the applause, the adoration of her small but growing fanbase. She has well over twelve thousand likes on the Facebook page I set up for her. She gets a kick out of chatting with her fans.
Tonight, she is part of a special event at the Grand Ole Opry House, the pinnacle of every country singer’s career. There are six singers on the bill tonight—all up-and-coming stars—and Jae shrieked when I told her she’d been chosen to close the show. And then ran to the bathroom to throw up. She returned with a sheepish grin and a starstruck twinkle in her beautiful eyes. She kissed me and I tasted the mint of toothpaste.
Lovemaking that night was sweet and slow—a fire we both tended to, first with kindling, then twigs and finally large branches that took my breath away. The fire burned so white-hot we were consumed, burned to ashes.
From the first time I saw this amazing woman, I have never tired of her. She continually surprises me and, like fine wine, the sex keeps on getting better.
“You look gorgeous,” I tell Jae now in her dressing room. She’s wearing an all white fringed jumpsuit, complete with cowboy boots and hat. She offers a tight smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. I’ve seen this look before. She’s trying to hold it together, to crush her stage fright before it gets the best of her.
She picks up her acoustic guitar and paces in the small space. She’s been taking lessons for a few months now and doesn’t play more than a handful of chords, but it looks good onstage. She’s been practicing with the house band, knowing she wouldn’t be ready to play on her own in time for this show.
Paul, a stagehand, pokes his head in. “Five minutes, guys.”
“I love you, Johnny,” she murmurs, not looking at me.
“I love you, Jae. Break a leg.”
She meets my eyes, her own glistening with joyful tears as a smile spreads across her face. Then she strides from the room to take her place in the wings of the auditorium as the performer onstage finishes his song.
She knows our friends and family are in the audience but what I thought it best to keep from her until after, is that a couple of reps from record labels are also in attendance. I’ve fielded calls from their offices and both expressed real interest. Tonight might just be the tipping point for Jae signing on with one of them.
The MC for the night announces Jae and she takes her place to stand in the center of the famous Ryman wood circle. She is met with thunderous applause. Watching from the wings, I’m stunned to see she doesn’t look at all nervous. She pauses for a moment to take it all in, her head swiveling slowly to take in the audience, an angelic smile on her face.
The crowd quiets and she begins singing “Blackbird” by The Beatles. Again, applause rips through the house but her voice captures the audience and in rapt attention, they listen. Upon finishing, she bows, her thank-yous drowned out by the applause. She pulls the mic from its stand and with a smile, waits until they settle down again.
“Hey, y’all!” she addresses the cheering audience. “I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for such a warm welcome to the house that made country music famous!” She pauses again to wait for the wolf whistles to die away. “Playing here has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. Mama says I came out of her belly singing. I don’t think that’s true, and I’m sure I couldn’t hold a note back then, but hey, ya never know.” She laughs along with the audience, who are riveted to her every word.
“Anyway, the first time I tried to do this I got such bad stage fright, I just about died a thousand times. So if you’ll allow me a moment to indulge, I’d like to introduce you to the man who made this all possible. The love of my life! The man who puts a smile on my face every morning and makes everything worthwhile… my husband, Gian Longo!” She turns to me, beckoning with her hand.
Fuck. I didn’t know she was going to do this. The little vixen never said a word.
My hands get sweaty and my breathing becomes shallow. I think I’m fast learning what stage fright feels like.
Wiping my hands on my jeans, I figuratively grab my balls and man up. I’m not going to embarrass her or let her down. Walking quickly onstage to Jae, I’m met with a loud round of applause. I look out at the crowd, not able to see much due to the stage lights but I know they’re there, cheering for me. I could get used to this.
Raising a hand, I wave and the crowd roars. Jae puts the mic in front of my mouth and I swallow past a dry throat. “Hey y’all,” I say in a very New York accent.
&nbs
p; Amid the laughing, hooting and hollering, I bring Jae in for a passionate kiss. “You did it, sweetheart.” The mic picks up the words and she laughs.
“No, we did it Johnny. You and me.”
And we come together for another kiss.
THE END
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A SNEAK PEEK
Don’t Make Me Wait
Rylee Swann
CHAPTER ONE
Crispell
I struggle up from the bowels of nightmare hell and open my eyes. Hues of a pink dawn in the eastern sky are just barely visible through the uncovered bedroom window.
I shiver and realize I’m naked now, as I was in the horrible dream. In my thrashing, I dislodged the blanket. Reaching for it, I have a longing to touch skin not my own, to feel the warmth, but it’s been a long time since I’ve had a steady subservient.
Sighing, I rub my eyes with the heel of one hand and then run it through my black, short hair. I don’t enjoy being alone after one of those damned nightmares. I miss Ben, the last sweet young man I played with as a Domme. He moved on, as they so often do. I need to find a new submissive to meet my needs.
I refuse to be out of sorts from the nightmare for long and jump out of bed, redirecting my thoughts to Ben. Without a partner to share intimacies with, it’s no fun to constantly be responsible for my own orgasms.
At the shower stall, I turn the knob on high and step under the stream. The hot water hits me like a hammer and I throw my head back, letting it beat down on my breasts and stomach, pretending it’s Ben’s hands. Almost immediately, a throbbing need pulsates between my legs. Thank god.
Detaching the handheld showerhead, I slide down until I’m lying in the hot puddle of water, my back against the cool porcelain of the tub. I want a hard, fast release and turn the dial until a thick single stream is rushing out of the head. Throwing my legs up onto each side of the tub, my pussy is laid bare and tingling with anticipation.
I make myself wait while I imagine Ben’s head between my legs, hovering there, his hot breath on my sensitive skin. I want his mouth on me, covering me, and I thrust the hard, steady stream between my legs. I gasp as the hot water hits my clit. It’s like Niagara is pounding down onto me and my back arches involuntarily, like when Ben would suck my clit so hard my ass would come off the bed.
I find my nipple with my free hand and pinch, pull, twisting until it hurts. Steam surrounds me as the spray builds the pressure between my legs and I latch onto the image of Ben sucking and licking. I can barely breathe as the tidal wave builds within me.
Thrusting my hips up to meet the constant onslaught of Ben’s tongue ravaging my clit, my eyes squeeze shut and my back arches like a contortionist.
My insides clench, wanting a hard cock and my fantasy switches to Ben above me, sliding his member inside. He thrusts, pulling back and driving hard into me. The water never stops, never pulls back, never gives me a moment to catch my breath, and Ben doesn’t either. I bite my lip as I explode, keeping the stream on me, the impossible pressure forcing my body into a frenzy of thrashing.
The bucking of my hips slows, and finally I relent and put down the showerhead, my chest heaving as I rest my head against the tub. I stay that way for a few minutes until my breathing regulates, my pulse slows to normal, and the tremors completely subside.
A satisfied smile spreads across my face and I stand on shaky legs to finish my shower. Putting the showerhead back in place, I shampoo my hair and soap up my body, giving myself a few pleasing aftershocks when I wash between my legs.
Finished, I jump out to get ready for the day, and an hour later, I’m at work.
“Yo, Crispell!” Carlos, a fellow personal trainer calls to me as I enter the gym, Fitness USA.
I wince as he says my full name. Everyone at the gym knows I prefer Cris. But this is a daily occurrence with Carlos and has become something of a game. “Yo right back atcha, Carlina!” I say, using the feminine form of his name. “Where’s your brother today, sweet cheeks?”
Carlos guffaws and I raise a hand in greeting as I make my way to the women’s locker room. My first client should arrive in fifteen minutes and I want to be ready for her.
Yeah, my name is Crispell. I make no excuses for it. My mother named me after the college dorm where I was conceived. Apparently, she attended a wild party there, had sex with several men, and didn’t know whose swimmer made it all the way to her egg, which resulted in me popping out nine months later.
She and I didn’t get along and I left her home for good when I turned fifteen. I never looked back. As for the tormentor who caused my actual nightmares, I hope he’s dead. If I ever run into him, I’ll kill him myself. Slowly.
Stowing my bag in a locker and making sure the laces of my sneakers are tied tight, I head back out onto the floor. The early morning rush is in full swing. Men and women at every stage of fitness, cramming in all the workout they can before going to work. I consider myself lucky that this is my salt mine.
Spotting my client, Jaelin, I wave and motion her to a treadmill where I’ll meet her when she returns from the locker room. She nods and quickly rushes through the club, not offering a return wave or smile—not like her. I frown. Something is wrong. She’s not herself.
As her personal trainer, I’ve known Jae for almost a year. And we’ve shared a protein shake a time or three at the in-club café after a hard workout. She’s a good egg and I hope it’s nothing that working up a good sweat can’t solve.
Minutes later she’s at my side, her long, wavy blonde hair tied back in a low ponytail, her flawless skin a shining example of a healthful lifestyle. She’s in excellent shape and doesn’t really need me anymore but she’s always pushing me to push her, as if perfection is always just around the corner but still eludes her.
I set the treadmill for a semi-easy five-minute jog for her warm-up but can’t ignore her red-rimmed eyes. “What’s wrong, Jae?”
She looks away and starts walking, increasing her pace as the tread moves under her feet.
“Jae?”
She lifts a shoulder and mutters, “Nothing,” so I decide to let it go until she’s finished her warm-up.
Five minutes later, she’s barely broken a sweat and still breathing normally. Pent-up energy has her practically hopping from one foot to the other but she’s still not meeting my eye.
“Jae, spill it.” I step up on the side of the treadmill to let her know I’m not giving up. “I need to know what demons I should be helping you get rid of this morning.”
She can’t hold it in any longer and tears leak in a steady stream from her crystal clear blue eyes. It’s not the first time a client has cried on me, but never at the beginning of a workout. There have even been mad dashes to the bathroom to throw up. This is new, but I think I know what she needs.
Pausing the treadmill, I silently hold out my arms to her and she doe
sn’t hesitate to fall into them. Quietly sobbing while I pat her back, she stutters into my ear, “H-he broke up w-with me.”
I sigh. This would be about a man. “You’re alright, Jae. He’s a damned fool, you know. Giving up the best thing in his life.”
She sniffles and breaks away from me, trying to pull herself together. “Sorry.”
I shake my head. “Don’t be. Follow me.”
I lead her back to the women’s locker room. There’s a lounge area inside where women can relax post-workout and I invite her to take a seat. She sits, wiping tears from her face while I pull up a chair so we can talk quietly.
“Did something happen? Did he hurt you?” I tense as I wait for her reply, worried about how bad of a breakup this might have been.
“No, oh, no, Cris. Nothing like that. He just… just…” She’s crying again and I hand her a tissue from a box on a side table. She takes it with a wan smile. “He told me to pack up my shit. That I didn’t live with him anymore.”
I suck in a breath and place a comforting hand on her shoulder. Men. They can be such assholes.
“Did he give you a reason?” I keep my tone low even though I want to scream.
She looks up at me with such sorrow that my heart contracts. “I was so stunned I was barely able to say anything to him. He just made sure I understood that we were done and then he left.”
I wince in sympathy and make a snap decision. “I have a pullout couch you can crash on for now.” She shakes her head but I insist with an encouraging smile. “You won’t be putting me out and I’ll enjoy the company. I’m not taking no for an answer.”
“Alright, thank you.” She sniffles and blows her nose, her lips curving upward slightly. “I think I’m ready for my workout now.”
I shake my head. “You don’t need a workout today, you need a tub of ice cream. Meet me at my place and we’ll share one, okay?”
She smiles and wipes her face. “I’d like that.”
“Bring all the bags you can and later we’ll make a plan to get the rest of your stuff.” I stand and take her into another hug, wondering what I’m doing. “You’ll be okay, Jae. I promise.”
