“I don’t know how you take your coffee or if you even drink it, but I got you a latte. You can dump it if you don’t want it.” Thrusting the coffee into Zara’s hand, Beth finishes her statement with a shoulder shrug.
“Thank you. My addiction is full blown.”
“Whatever.”
Beth turns and walks down the hall back toward the front desk, leaving Zara standing in the doorway and holding a steaming hot latte.
Zara giggles as she makes her way back to bed with the hot cup of coffee, knowing today is going to be a much better day. Pushing the curtain back, Zara checks the parking spot for Garrett’s Jeep. No Jeep, but the forgotten letter sits waiting to be opened. Climbing back into bed, Zara sips the latte and opens the letter.
Dear Zara Faith,
I have arranged your class schedule this semester, as there was not time for you to select your own classes. I will leave that to you in the future. All relevant information is located in the backpack.
Also in a wallet in your backpack is a bankcard. I have arranged an account for your use at the Michigan State University Federal Credit Union. Please feel free to make a withdrawal whenever you wish. Currently, there is a balance of $1000.
A credit card has been ordered and should arrive within the next week. This will be for any larger purchases you wish to make. I committed to taking care of your needs while you are at school and I intend to live up to my word.
You will find other campus related items in the backpack, including season tickets for football and basketball. Even if you are not a fan of sports I encourage you to attend, as they are a part of the college experience and that was your dream.
My intent is to give you the time and space you need to explore yourself and enjoy school. Enjoy your new space and if there is anything you find you need, please do not hesitate to contact me. As you know, my number is programmed into your phone.
Regards,
John Garrett Dawson
Zara rereads the letter. It is informative but the tone distant, a man fulfilling a duty. This is not the Garrett she had just spent time with at the beach. Where was the warmth she had felt when she ran into his arms yesterday?
As she slips it back into the drawer, Zara wonders if she is misinterpreting the closeness between them. There is so much Zara does not understand about Garrett. With a jolt, the sound of the woman saying she would be right back echoes in her mind and the self-doubt from last night comes crashing back with a vengeance.
Forcing the unwelcome thoughts away, Zara picks up her backpack. She begins to remove the items finding a laptop and a wristlet with a bankcard in it. The bankcard has a picture of Beaumont Tower on it reminding her of the tour Garrett took her on the day before.
Suddenly, remembering he was due to pick her up at 9:30am, Zara looks at the Breakfast at Tiffany’s clock on the wall, shocked that it is already 8:30am. Zara quickly combs through the rest of the items laid out on her bed. The wristlet has a key ring with several keys, a paper copy of an MSU student ID and a pack of sweet mint gum. Flipping through the official MSU student planner, she finds a typed class list with times and locations attached to the inside cover.
Going to today’s date, Zara sees there is an appointment at 10:00am in the Hannah building. She also discovers her first college class is Biology and it begins on Monday at 10am in Wells Hall. Closing the planner, Zara attempts to remember where Wells Hall was located. Garrett had mentioned the building, but there were so many buildings and landmarks she could not recall its exact location.
Zara picks up her new laptop, carefully opens the top and hits the power button. Rather than get too comfortable, Zara sets the computer on the bed and walks to the bathroom. Meeting Garrett with furry teeth is not an option.
Turning on the shower and undressing, she takes a moment to confront herself in the mirror. This is her bathroom. This is her dorm room. Satisfied she is in control, Zara steps into the shower.
Standing under the stream of hot water, Zara’s thoughts turn to the relaxing piano music that had been played at the beach house. Wondering if there was a way to get that on her phone and listen to it while showering, it didn’t take long for all of her thoughts to be of Garrett.
She thought of how he stood at the stove in lounge pants and bare feet, a Michigan State University tee-shirt accentuating the muscles in his upper body, and how strong his arms were when he picked her up and held her.
Zara works the shampoo through her hair, rinses and reaches for conditioner, as she recalls his lips on her forehead and her hand held warmly in his. She picks up the natural sponge and pours some Dr. Bronner’s on it. Starting with her neck, Zara lifts her necklace out of the way and soaps her body with the sponge, enjoying the strong scent of peppermint as she covers her body in a thick lather.
Unconsciously, Zara returns the sponge to the basket and runs both of her hands over her breasts. Her nipples harden as she caresses the under sides while picturing Garrett taking his tee shirt off and standing in front of her at the kitchen table.
Zara imagines running her hand over the muscles in his chest, brushing his nipples with her thumbs. Closing her eyes, and letting her head fall back, her hand slides down her stomach to the smooth area between her legs. She remembers Garrett leaning close to her asking her to leave with him.
Lightly spreading the bare lips, Zara’s fingers brush the nub between them, a small moan escaping her lips. Holding her lips apart, Zara enjoys the cascade of water over her most sensitive parts. Having only touched herself a couple of times in the past, she explores with trepidation, the memory of Garrett kneeling before her spurning her on.
Zara uses one hand to brace herself against the shower wall. Her other hand continues, wet fingers spreading herself wide while lightly running her middle finger up the center of her clit.
Feeling a pressure begin to build, Zara allows it to happen. Until the thought of her mother’s disapproval invades her thoughts. Even in the privacy of her new bathroom, miles from her home, she knows going any further is out of the question.
Washing herself thoroughly one more time, Zara rinses the conditioner from her hair and steps from of the shower. Standing in front of the mirror, Zara takes a longer look at her entire body. She is considered tall at 5’7” but only because both her mother and Sloane are much shorter. Beside Garrett, Zara feels like the perfect height. Releasing the pendant she had not realized she was holding, Zara considers what Garrett has chosen. He had picked out a ‘Z’ that is so much bigger than the g. For a Dom, it is an unusual thing to do, but then Garrett is not the ‘usual’ Dom Zara had been raised around.
In exasperation, Zara wonders if Garrett is the only thought she is capable of having in her head.
Where did he go last night? How far is his house from here? Why is the letter written in such a cold manner? How would he feel touching her nipples in the shower?
The last thought makes Zara’s eyes pop open. She goes to the window to grab her coffee, wondering if she will find Garrett’s Jeep outside waiting for her. She is disappointed when she peeks between the curtains and it isn’t.
Sighing, she turns to get dressed. It hits her that what she is feeling is how it feels to miss someone you want to be spending time with. Talking aloud to herself, she reasons, “Ok. I like him. I want to spend time with him. I want him to be here… outside looking up at my window.”
Finishing hair and make-up, and wanting to look extra special for their breakfast, Zara tries on one of three floral maxi dresses hanging in the closet. The fit is perfect. She picks out an adorable pair of strappy sandals that buckle halfway up her calf.
Ready and waiting, Zara picks up the laptop and sits down on her bed, pushing herself back to the headboard. Moving her finger over the pad, the computer comes to life, the image bringing a wide smile to Zara’s face.
It is a picture of her standing at the edge of the water looking down the beach. Whoever took the picture had perfect timing since Zara didn’t recall lo
oking down the beach. The blues in the picture are a perfect match to her wall color. Taking a closer look, Zara sees for the first time that the rug under bed is the color of the sand on the beach, the white of the foam the color of her pillow. Garrett has replicated the beach for her. Zara closes the laptop and takes in the room with an entirely new appreciation.
Realizing the time, Zara places everything back in the backpack and makes her bed, ensuring the room looks as it did when she entered yesterday. Outside the building, Zara finds Garrett standing against the stair rail looking down at his phone. Hearing the door snap shut, he looks up from his phone. As he looks her up and down, Zara is happy she had taken the extra time to look a bit nicer.
“You look amazing. I love this dress.”
“Good morning.” Zara responds softly.
“Really. I really love this dress. You should get a couple more of these.” Zara smiles and nods.
Garrett gestures for Zara to walk on ahead of him. She smiles as she feels his eyes skim her backside as thoroughly as he had her front. Not seeing the Jeep, Zara pauses and looks back at Garrett.
“We are over here”, he points out as they make their way to a large white sedan. Zara looks around and notes an increase in people in the area. Students are walking on the sidewalks and standing in small clusters.
Garrett opens the passenger door and Zara slides onto the soft leather seat. The driver’s side has so many controls and buttons that it seems like a spaceship. Garrett opens his door and gracefully slides in. The steering wheel lowers into position.
“We are going to get you checked in and get your student ID and then head to breakfast.”
There is never a question with Garrett. Zara trusts that Garrett knows the best thing to do and when. It is not that she has to ponder the idea, it is what she is raised to believe. It would never sit well with her parents if she were to tell him that was a stupid plan.
Pulling up to the Hannah Building, Garrett jumps out of the car and feeds the meter. Walking to Zara’s side, he opens the door and offers her his hand. Accepting the assistance, Zara climbs out of the car.
In silence, the two of them walk to the building’s entrance. Inside, Garrett leads the way to the student services office. Zara is asked for her license. She looks up at Garrett with a look of panic.
Garrett touches her arm to ease her fear. “Ma’am, this is Zara Faith Evans. She does not have a driver’s license yet.”
Pulling out his wallet, Garrett pulls out a piece of paper and hands it to the woman behind the counter. Reading it over, the woman shakes her head and tells Zara to step on the ‘X’ on the floor and look above the camera. Without any warning, Zara’s picture is taken.
Garrett waits at the counter then pulls her close as she returns. Welcoming his warmth, she allows her body to fall into his, feeling safer and more secure. The woman walks over and places Zara’s new student ID on the counter. Garrett nods for her to pick it up. Smiling, Zara looks more relaxed than she felt and the colors in the dress accentuate her sun-kissed skin.
Holding the small laminated card, Zara feels as if she is her own person for the very first time in her life. She never had a license. Her father felt it was a decision for her Dom whether Zara should be able to drive or not. Her whole identity as a child was wrapped up in her parents. After them, her entire identity was to revolve around her Dom.
Zara is amazed that this little card has the power to make her feel like a whole new person. Standing in the Administration Building on the campus of Michigan State University, Zara belongs to no one. She has to obey no one. For the first time in her life, she is going to call the shots for herself and the man standing next to her made this possible. Garrett is as important in this moment as the card Zara holds in her hand.
“What would the newest Michigan State SPARTAN like for breakfast?”
He asks such an easy question, a question anyone would be able to answer. Yet, as Zara stands next to the counter holding a card that makes her feel like her own person, she is unable to answer. Garrett touches her elbow to guide her from the counter.
“I don’t know if I can do this.” Zara blurts the words out then slaps a hand over her mouth.
Pulling her hand from her mouth, Garrett leads her outside to the car without acknowledging Zara’s confession. Secure in the passenger seat, Zara sits in the seat with her hand resting in her lap. The card sits in her lap under both of her hands.
Garrett turns to face Zara at the first red light; his serious expression is unreadable. Zara glances at him then draws her eyes back down to her lap. Garrett says nothing and Garrett resumes driving when the light changes. Garrett sighs. Zara’s body tenses in fear of Garrett being unhappy with her.
Garrett unclips his seatbelt but remains in his seat after pulling into a parking spot.
Finally opening his door and stepping out, Garrett takes his suit coat off and lays it across the backseat. Strolling around to Zara’s side, he opens the door for her to climb out. Taking her ID and room key from her, he places them in the center console.
“Where’s your phone?”
“I forgot it in my room.”
“Zara Faith, it is critical you carry your phone. At all times… for safety reasons. Is that clear?”
“Yes. I am sorry.” Zara says in a whisper standing next to the car unable to make eye contact.
Gently touching Zara’s elbow, Garrett guides her to the patio of a green building. ‘Golden Harvest’ is painted on a sign. The smells swirling around are heavenly but all Zara can concentrate on is the fact that she has displeased Garrett. He gestures her to sit in one of the patio chairs and moves another one next to her but the opposite in the direction she is sitting. Zara can see a line of people at the front door of the building but Garrett is facing an abandoned building across the street.
When he sits, she realizes the positioning allows them to look at one another and speak without needing to raise their voices. Sitting in front of the restaurant with a line of customers waiting to go in, Garrett and Zara are able to have an intimate conversation without worrying about being overheard.
“Zara Faith. Do you know why I gave you the option of not completing the Circle Ceremony with me?” Her eyes grew to the size of saucers at his blunt question. Shaking her head only slightly, she is surprised they are having this important conversation sitting outside with people around.
“Little One. I’ve known about you since I was around ten years old.” Zara eyes jump to meet Garrett’s.
With an audible gasp, Garrett nods and continues. “Your mother and my mother are friends. As you know, the Community doesn’t allow a submissive to maintain her relationships with her past lives without her Dom’s permission. Your father refused, so their friendship was terminated.
“When you were born, my mother was the only person your mother asked to be notified. The information given was limited to your date of birth and the fact that you were a healthy beautiful baby girl named Zara Faith. My mother would always talk about you like you were an angel in a faraway land that I would someday meet.
“When the time came for me to go through the selection processes, you, Zara, were the only candidate I was interested in researching. Traditions within our Community are very shortsighted for future submissives. As you know you receive no information about the man that you are paired with. But for the Doms, it is a different story. Information is shared freely about the pool of submissives. When I began to research the adult you, there were indications you were not sold on the idea of being collared.”
For the first time since Garrett began speaking, Zara looks away, embarrassed he knew of her lack of commitment to the Community and the traditions she had been raised in and humiliated that her feelings about the collaring ceremony have not been kept private.
“Little One, it’s okay. I don’t blame you for not wanting to be given to a man you’ve never met and know nothing about. Not knowing what kind of Dom I would be, what type of relationship I
want, it’s almost a relief that you questioned our ways.”
“NEXT!” shouts a tall, lean man standing in shorts and a tee shirt. With the door held open, loud thumping music spills out. Garrett stands and quickly moves his chair back to its original location, gesturing for a stunned Zara to follow him inside the door.
“John, good to see you. Who have you brought with you today?”
Garrett shakes the guy’s hand. He then steps to the side and allows Zara to enter. “Zara, this is Timmy. Timmy serves the best coffee in the city and never allows your cup to get past half empty. Timmy, this is Zara. Zara is a lover of coffee like I have never. Seen. Before.”
“Well, sit sit sit. You’re in the right spot.” Timmy is already filling the mug that is sitting on the table in front of the seat that Zara sits in. “Ms. Zara, take a second and look over the menu, Vanesa will be right over to take your order. Oh and check out the specials on the board. Zane is creating masterpieces this morning,” he says with a wink. Then Timmy buzzes off to pump coffee and take time to speak with all the customers.
Looking at the board of specials, Zara is determined to choose her own breakfast and not disappoint Garrett a second time. She reads through the first three items and as she gets to the fifth, her confidence lessened. By the end of reading all twelve specials, she is overwhelmed.
“The waffles and pancakes are awesome. Would you be interested in splitting a waffle and ordering your own breakfast?”
A lovely woman wearing combat boots walks up to the table, “Hey John, welcome back. Hi. I’m Vanesa.”
“Hello. Zara. It is very nice to meet you.”
“You guys know what you’re having?”
Turning to John with a look of desperation, Zara’s eyes beg for Garrett to save her. He orders her a breakfast burrito with hash browns and a Polish omelet for himself.
As Vanesa was preparing to rip the check off the pad, Zara whispers. “And a waffle to share please.”
Before Him Comes Me Page 9
