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“Are you deaf? Didn’t you hear him? I mean he couldn’t have been any plainer,” Elizabeth said, pulling Nancy further into the room to make sure they weren’t overheard.
“Elizabeth, calm down,” Nancy said, guiding her to sit beside her on the ottoman. “All I heard was him complimenting us on a job very well done. If you heard something else, then for God’s sake, tell me.”
Elizabeth’s mind raced as she tried to collect her thoughts. Maybe she was wrong; maybe she had misinterpreted what he had said. Before she could voice her thoughts, they heard several people approaching. “I’m not sure; maybe I heard wrong,” Elizabeth said. “Forget it.”
Nancy shook her head. “Hell no,” she said, and then spoke quickly, before they were joined by the others. “This conversation is not over. We’ll talk at dinner tonight. Jason’s grilling again,” Nancy said, firmly.
Elizabeth hesitated, but then nodded as their teammates poured into the room. They spent an hour going through the entire house, compliments flying, and all knowing the Dietrichs would come home to the house of their dreams.
That evening, Elizabeth and Nancy were sipping iced tea at the patio table as Jason finished at the grill. Once they had taken a few bites, Nancy spoke. “Okay, spill it, Liz,” she said, popping a piece of grilled pepper into her mouth.
Elizabeth took a sip of tea and leaned back in her chair. “I think Mr. Foster knows,” she said, cryptically, again. Nancy groaned and was about to speak when Elizabeth continued, “I mean, I think he knows you are a collared submissive, Nancy. He complimented you on your collar, and well, he kept looking at the ottoman and then said he liked your furniture choices. I believe he knows you enjoy playing… you know, at the club.”
“Liz,” Nancy said softly, “are you ashamed of me? Are you embarrassed that your best friend and business partner embraces the lifestyle?”
Elizabeth was shocked and opened her mouth to respond, but Nancy didn’t allow her to speak.
“If you are, then, my friend, we do have a problem because I will never apologize for who I am or what I enjoy in my private life. I don’t give a rat’s ass who knows that this professional, talented, very capable businesswoman finds her greatest joy in submitting and obeying completely the man who has not only wed her, but collared her, as well.”
Elizabeth immediately reached out and put her hand over Nancy’s. “God no, and frankly, it sort of pisses me off that you would think that. I love both of you and I would gladly take on anyone who would hurt either of you. I was just worried that—”
“That you might be guilty by association?” Nancy said, pulling her hand from beneath her friend’s. “That he might look at you differently? That he might think you enjoy playing naughty games?”
“Watch it, Nancy,” Jason said, evidently seeing the effect her words were having on Elizabeth.
Nancy shot him a look Elizabeth knew she normally wouldn’t have dared, a sure sign she was getting pissed.
Jason shook his head and gave her a look of warning. Nancy forced herself to take a deep breath and calm down.
“Okay,” Elizabeth said, softly. “Maybe I deserved that. As I said, I would never be embarrassed by you, or the lifestyle. Just because I am not yet a collared submissive doesn’t mean I don’t trulyhopeto be someday. I see the love and commitment you and Jason have, and the joy of a perfect connection that a lot of our friends have found. I pray I will find the perfect man for me, someone who not only wishes to collar me but one I fear I can’t live my life without,” she said, her voice wistful as if afraid she’d never find such a partner.
Nancy looked ashamed and took back Elizabeth’s hand, squeezing it with her own. “I’m sorry,” Nancy said, softly. “That was uncalled for and rude. I love you and know you’ll find him.”
They were all quiet for a few minutes, as if to gather their thoughts. Jason leaned forward. “Then why did it concern you so much, honey? Nancy said you looked terrified.”
Elizabeth sighed and looked between the two. “What if he detests the thought of women like us? I mean, he is a powerful man, and though it might not be fair, his opinion could definitely affect our company. I don’t care if he is some sort of repressed, biased individual but, Jason, like it or not, his opinion carries a lot of weight in our field,” she said, glad to express her fear openly.
Nancy looked up at her husband. “May I tell her now, Sir?” she asked respectfully.
Jason nodded, sitting back again.
Elizabeth turned to her best friend, her question showing in her eyes. “I believe you are right,” Nancy said, and when Elizabeth’s eyes grew wider, she quickly continued. “I believe he does know. I also believe you are wrong that he judges me in any sort of negative way.” Her words did not seem to be having the desired effect of clarifying the situation. Nancy looked again at Jason. “Perhaps you’d do a better job,” she offered.
“Liz, look at me,” Jason said, quietly. When she did, he took her hand. “What Nancy is trying to say is that you do not have to worry about Garrett Foster.”
She opened her mouth but closed it when he shook his head.
“Remember last weekend, when you didn’t want to go to the club because you were working on something at home?” he asked.
“Yes, I wanted to finish putting my office together and work on some designs.”
“Right. Well, I took Nancy back to Tastsinn’s,” Jason continued. “I purchased a membership there because we both feel it is a much higher-quality club than some we’ve enjoyed.”
Elizabeth smiled and nodded, remembering the night they had gone to celebrate.
“Anyway, honey, they were having a demonstration and we watched.”
Elizabeth nodded again, having done so herself on many occasions.
