Page 8 of Delicious Surrender
She tilted her head and smiled playfully. “That Jared is a special young man. You must be close friends for him to call in such a favor.”
“He is. We’ve been best friends ever since I moved to London two years ago.”
“Please take a seat in my office. I’m going to lock the door,as I’ve sent my assistant home for the evening.”
Mistress Patricia was not at all what she expected. No black leather outfit, short spiky hair, or blood-red lipstick. Honey-blonde hair framed her delicate features, and her twinkling blue eyes projected warmth, acceptance, and something else Brynne couldn’t put her finger on.
The office smelled like orange blossoms and vanilla. It was feminine and elegant, against the backdrop of exposed brick and wide plank floors. She sat in front of the antique writing desk and pulled out her notebook. When Patricia returned, she asked if it would be okay to take notes.
“Yes, of course,” she replied as she sat down and donned a pair of purple reading glasses. “I’d like to get to know you before we begin.”
Brynne’s tension and dread released like steam from a boiling pot. Thank god they weren’t immediately heading to the dungeon. “That would be great!” she blurted, adding, “I guess you know I am not very experienced?”
“We were all inexperienced at one time, Brynne. It takes nerve to explore something new.”
Brynne let out her breath. “Thank you for that.” She absently pressed her hands to her thighs and continued. “The truth is, I’ve wanted to explore this part of myself for a long time.” She swallowed, shocked at how truthful she was being—not just to Mistress Patricia, but also to herself. “I haven’t found the best way or the right person.”
“Tell me about the first inkling you had that you were submissive.”
She flushed a little and let out her breath. “The thing is, I don’t know if I am. There are things I fantasize about, but I’ve never been with anyone who likes the same things.”
Each time she bared her soul, it got easier. Brynne described her failed attempts to find a strong, confident partner—someone who wouldn’t crumble the way her father had when her mother left. His fragility frightened her and made her determined never to be that vulnerable. Her three-date rule in college kept her from sharing her secret fantasies with anyone. Patricia listened and nodded, never making her feel silly.
“You aren’t what I expected at all,” Brynne admitted.
She smiled and winked. “Believe me, I hear that all the time.”
“Do I pay you now?” Brynne waited for direction.
“All in good time. First things first,” she said as she tapped her computer mouse and opened a file. “Who has requested the reference letter?”
“It’s for Club Dominus. I’ve interviewed for a job there and—”
“Oh, how wonderful!” she exclaimed. “So, this will be for Master Gage?”
“Yes. Garrick, the manager, requested it before I have the final interview with Gage. I met him briefly. He was very intimidating.” Brynne couldn’t help herself and asked, “Is he always so scary?”
Patricia took off her glasses and looked wistful. Her eyes were the color of sapphires, and Brynne fell deeper under herspell.
“Gage MacLeod is quite a stunning specimen, and unlike any man I’ve ever met. He can be deeply passionate one moment and cold as ice the next. That dark magnetism draws you into his orbit—but beware, he is emotionally unavailable.”
Brynne swallowed and mouthed the word, “Oh.”
“The sad thing is he doesn’t play in clubs anymore, even in Berlin, where we originally met. He was always aloof, but he’s become cynical and reclusive since—well, it doesn’t matter. You just stay out of trouble, and he won’t bother you.”
Brynne’s curiosity was piqued even though she knew it was in her best interests to stay under the radar.
Patricia’s nails clicked on the keyboard, pulling her back to the present. “During our session, we will discover what you like, what you don’t like, and what turns you on whether you like it or not.” She continued like a professor laying out a class lesson. “Often there are things, or specific restraints, for example, which will trigger a reaction you didn’t expect. Like if I deprived you of sight—or the ability to speak.”
Brynne’s pen stopped midair and her cheeks burned at the implication. More disconcerting was her body’s reaction as sensations whirred to life between her legs.
“Ultimately, you will have to trust me, Brynne. When we go into my studio, you become my submissive, and you do exactly as I say.” She peered over the top of her glasses. “Do you understand the rules of engagement?”
“Yes.” Brynne nodded. “May I ask a question?”
“Of course. Now is the time to ask.”
“What if I don’t… I mean, what if someone you are instructing misbehaves?”