Page 67 of The Dom with a Safeword

Sabrina’s steps slowed. A man was sitting with him. As they got to the couch, the baby-faced man grinned up at them hugely, ridiculous in his enthusiasm. The stranger hopped to his feet and zoomed off toward the bar.

“Friend of yours?” Q asked.

He nodded. “My brand new best buddy, as a matter of fact. I think he said his name was Jon. He realized we’re all together and he had a fanboy moment. Wanted to know what my secret was. I think he’s coming back.” He chuckled. “He asked if he could buy you two a drink, but I told him it wasn’t safe for you to accept drinks from strangers. He tried to buy me one first.” Jude drew them down to the couch and they draped around him like concubines.

Moments later Jon returned with a drink in one hand, his phone in the other. “This is so awesome! Can I take your picture?” Jude shook his head, but the man’s eagerness was undeterred. “I guess that’s kind of creepy. Right. Well, can I get a picture with you Jude? I want to remember this. Maybe someday I’ll figure out your secret, but for now this will remind me that it can happen!”

He held the phone out to Sabrina who laughed but accepted it. When she and Q rose from the couch, he sat beside Jude. As Sabrina raised the phone, Jon grinned and put an arm around Jude’s shoulder, pointing at him with the hand that held his drink. Apparently Jude was the shit.

The girls’ peals of laughter seemed lost on Jon and he chattered to Jude. Sabrina tossed his phone back and the girls headed toward the restroom together.

The line extended almost into the hallway, of course. Sabrina waved Q off. “You go. I’ll find my way back on my own.”

After Q gave her lipstick a quick check, she grabbed her phone out of Sabrina’s handbag. “I’ll wait in the hall.”

She was reading status updates when a hand stroked up the back of her bare thigh. “Sabrina!” She jumped and turned, about to give her shit for scaring her. It wasn’t Sabrina.

“Nico,” she breathed, fighting to maintain eye contact. She trembled a little but tried to not to betray her surprise and anxiety. It was always like this, since they’d split. “What the fuck are you doing here? It’s not really your kind of place.”

He was still a vision of the gothest kind. Arching a black brow, he looked down at her disdainfully. “Not exactly your kind of place, either, Q. Ivy told me you were coming here tonight. You didn’t answer my text this morning so I decided to come by and check out your new play partner. You waiting for him here, like a good girl?”

Not much had changed in six months. He still knew how to press her buttons. She glowered at him. “I’m busy having a life. We’re friends and all, but stalking me isn’t very friendly. I’m having fun. Don’t ruin it for me.” Two girls strolled out of the restroom, leaning on each other for support and went past, oblivious to the drama.

His dark eyes narrowed and he leaned in, his hand on the wall beside her head. They were so close that his smooth black hair brushed her forehead. “It’s temporary. You said he’s leaving at the end of the summer. Why not make a clean break of it now before you get too attached? He doesn’t know you like I do. You have trouble letting people go. He’s not going to keep you, long-distance. I’m willing to take you back right now, but don’t bank on the offer still being good when he’s done with you.”

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she managed to blink them back. She knew no other Dom would put up with her shit. Not long term. Not even Jude. She hadn’t answered Nico’s text today, because she hadn’t known how to respond. He’d claimed he alone could handle her. Nico was a complete ass sometimes compared to Jude, but he was offering permanence – and a convenient source of pain.

He leaned forward, growling quietly in her ear, “I kicked Isabelle out this morning, like I told you I was going to. I expect you home by next weekend at the latest. Understood?”

Her hackles rose. She was not a slave for him to bark commands at. He’d dumped her – he didn’t get to run her life. “Fuck you, Nico! You can’t boss me around anymore. I never made you any promises – and I’m free.” Her vehemence surprised her.

Nico recoiled, and after a quick glance up and down the hall he slapped her hard across the face. Fire bloomed. She clutched her cheek. The blow hadn’t been that hard, but it was unexpected.

“In your deepest, darkest heart you know you’re a slave, Q,” he hissed. “You’re my slave. Being free doesn’t make you happy. How many times have we discussed this? Just because I set you aside for awhile doesn’t make you normal. You’re not like everyone else.”

It was true, she was a freak. She craved so much physical dominance and pain. Jude didn’t want a freak. Did anyone? Nico’s eyes softened and he traced gentle fingers over the heat of where he’d hit. He stared into her eyes and she could feel herself falling under his spell. Q knew he didn’t really love her. No matter what she did, Nico was always angry with her. She burned the food, stayed up too late, showed too much skin. There was always something. But was it because he was mean or because she was a fuck-up? Q wasn’t stupid. Part of her knew he was an abusive asshat, but at least he understood her. And still wanted her.

What a confusing mess. She ducked her head, averting her gaze. “You have to give me time to think please, Sir. I’m... I don’t know yet.”

He chuckled, stroking her hair behind her ear then tracing her jaw. “No ‘Master’ from you tonight? I’ll accept it for now. But you know what you call me in your head.”

Asshat? She giggled but covered it with a little cough.

“Q? Is everything okay?” Sabrina appeared nearby, looking uncertain. “Hi, Nico. I never thought we’d see you here.”

Q watched as his face transformed from sneering mega Dom to pleasant acquaintance. “Hello, Sabrina. I dropped by to talk to Q for a minute. We had something to discuss.” His gaze snapped back to Q and his lips pressed together in displeasure. “Now I see who your third is. Congratulations. I know how long you’ve been waiting to get at the straight girl’s cunt.”

She flinched and glanced at Sabrina. That was harsh, even for him. Impressive that Sabrina held back. Q didn't miss Sabrina’s hand clenching at her side, ready to deck him.

“I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Then he was gone, stalking away in a swirl of black clothes and silver buckles.

She watched until he turned the corner, admiring the way he moved in spite of herself. Her body begged to follow.

Fingers snapping in her face brought her back to reality. “Q. Q, honey. Listen to me.” Sabrina was staring at her intently. “He is such an asshole! What the hell did he say to you before I came out? And why the fuck is your cheek red? Did he hit you? I’m going to kick his ass!”

She took a step to chase after him, but Q caught her by the arm.

“Leave it be, Sabrina. I made him angry. I know he has a short fuse, I shouldn’t have been so rude.”