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Nancy added her thanks—sincerity and pleasure evident in her voice.
“They are,” Garrett said. “I will continue to facilitate cooperation between the final teams. I expect everyone to work well together and have this project done in a timely manner. The first team meeting will be here on Monday at 2:00.” He paused for a moment. “On a far less pleasurable note, I want you to know I was informed of what occurred at the presentation.”
Elizabeth wasn’t sure what he was referring to, until he picked up a manila folder from the surface of his desk. She saw a thick red line had been drawn through the label on the tab and understood instantly what he was speaking about.
“Greg Spenser sealed the fate of Spectacular Spaces when he insulted you and denigrated our clients. Not only was his behavior unprofessional, it was disgusting, and I am very sorry you were subjected to it.”
“Thank you, sir, but it’s not your fault,” Elizabeth was quick to offer.
“It’s my firm,” Garrett said as if that settled the matter. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the folder into the wastebasket. “Enough of that. Today is about rewarding teams who know how to conduct themselves. Go celebrate and have a great weekend. You’ll be far too busy later.”
“Thank you, we will,” Elizabeth assured him while she prayed Ryan and Julie weren’t affected by their boss’s behavior.
Elizabeth’s attention returned to the present with the tinkling of the bell above their door. She wiped her fingers across her cheeks, her emotions running high. This was more than another project for her. This would bring her just that much closer to realizing her own dream. She had lived very miserly, saving every penny she could, in order to one day be able to build the project she had been working on since graduate school.
As Nancy bumped the door closed with her hip, a tray of hot coffee and sinful cupcakes in hand, she said, “Those better be from happiness, partner.” Nancy placed a huge cupcake in front of Elizabeth. “There is nothing to be sad about. We earned this.”
Elizabeth wiped away her tears and smiled. “I’m just feeling a bit overwhelmed,” she admitted. “It means so much to me.”
Nancy bent and gave Elizabeth a hug. “I know, honey, your dream is getting close to reality,” Nancy said and picked up her own cupcake, holding it out toward Elizabeth. “A toast,” she said, and waited until Elizabeth picked up hers. “To the brilliantly talented women of Divine Designs. We know how to kick butt!”
Elizabeth laughed as they touched their cupcakes together. “Yes, we definitely do,” Elizabeth agreed, her melancholy mood disappearing as they bit into the treats.
“Jason is taking us out to celebrate,” Nancy said, after the first few bites were consumed. “We are going to dinner and then, girlfriend, we are going to the club.”
Elizabeth blushed as a stirring began deep inside. She always felt a little guilty and a bit naughty when walking into a club whose members openly participated in BDSM play. Though she had not tried any of the bondage elements, she had often witnessed scenes at the clubs. She knew Nancy and Jason were much more versatile in their play. The couple had instantly meshed, as if each had simply been waiting for the other. The trust required for such play had long been established.
When Elizabeth played, it was much less elaborate. She chose only the men she had grown to trust—and even care for. While she truly enjoyed the encounters, which always consisted of some element of having her ass spanked, she had yet to find any one Dom capable of claiming all of her. The men she did play with understood that the small beauty was holding back, never letting go completely despite her sincere desire to please her Dom. The men always assured her they came away from the scene satisfied, but not one had any illusions that they had truly been able to touch that special chord deep inside Elizabeth. Nancy had Jason, and Elizabeth knew their relationship of D/s extended into every aspect of their lives. When Elizabeth went with them to one of the clubs, she either agreed to submit for a scene with one of the few Doms she trusted, or sat at the bar with a drink, while simply observing the action.
“Wouldn’t you two rather go alone?” Elizabeth asked.
Nancy’s reaction was immediate. “Absolutely not!” she stated, firmly. “You haven’t come with us in ages. Life is not only work or even dreaming, Elizabeth Jayne Adams! Life is for living. We are going to make ourselves gorgeous, let Jason treat us to a fantastic dinner, and then, partner, we are going to play.” She paused for a moment. “And, Liz, by ‘we’ I mean both of us. You need to have some fun.”
Elizabeth knew Nancy was right. Even if her friend’s insistence hadn’t been so strong, the feeling of need was building. “Yes, ma’am,” she said, with a small smile. “I will do as you command.” Nancy laughed and began to close up the office. Elizabeth looked at her watch and opened her mouth to point out it was early.
“Not a word,” Nancy teased, as she reached across Elizabeth’s desk and flipped off her computer. “You just said you would do as I command—which means, my sweet little subbie, that until you are in the presence of a Dom tonight, you may consider me your Mistress.”
Elizabeth flushed hotter, her mind immediately going to the club, just as she was sure Nancy intended.
“Up,” Nancy said, pulling on her friend’s arm. “It is time to play!”
Chapter Three
That evening when Jason came to the door, his two favorite women met him. He kissed Elizabeth’s cheek and then his fiancée far more passionately. Elizabeth turned away, a smile on her face, as she picked up the coat she was planning to wear over her clothing. Though they were going to the club after dinner, she had no intention of raising eyebrows at whatever restaurant Jason had chosen.
When Jason finally released Nancy, he turned to Elizabeth. “Nope,” he said, plucking the coat from her hands. “Not only do we not live in Antarctica, you look far too gorgeous to cover yourself.”
She enjoyed the compliment but still felt uneasy.
“How about one of those pretty shawls, instead?” he offered.
Elizabeth nodded, and after replacing the coat in the small hall closet, she chose a soft black shawl, one of many that she had knitted.
Jason draped it around her shoulders, offered them each an arm and led them to celebrate their victory.
The restaurant was on the fringe of the downtown area. While it hadn’t been too long ago that everyone seemed to be flocking to the suburbs, the last several years had seen the younger generation returning. Older homes were either demolished and replaced with new structures or left in place after being completely remodeled. Elizabeth loved the fact that the number of abandoned buildings was diminishing as they were gutted and then remodeled into large, airy lofts.
She was glad Houston had finally taken a page from other large cities. The nightlife available in the downtown area was no longer confined to the theater. Restaurants, two sports stadiums, a huge convention center and all types of clubs guaranteed that, once past six, downtown was no longer empty. It was teeming with a diverse range of people enjoying a wide variety of pleasures.
