“What the fuck! You scared the crap out of me, Daniel! What are you doing here?” The door to my office swings open, and apart from the night security guard, I thought the whole office block was empty. As it should be this late on Christmas Eve.
“I am going to ask you the very same question. You are going to make me feel like Ebenezer if you tell me you are working.” He flicks the main light on because I have been hunched over my laptop with just the glow of the screen to illuminate my office. I blink and rub my eyes at the instant bright light.
“No, not working, just trying to find unobtainium. It’s proving a little tricky.” I slap the lid of my laptop shut and stretch my spine out with my knuckles, cracking a few pockets of air as I do. I feel the late hour now, and I am suddenly tired. Daniel strides into the room and walks straight to the shelf where I keep my best whiskey. He pours two fingers in each glass and hands me one. Taking the chair opposite, his face is impossible to read even after all these years of working as his number two. But his raised brow is indication enough that he is listening.
“I got a second chance with Sam. Just one day…tomorrow. I don’t want to blow it but I have sort of left myself no time to actually sort anything special.” Daniel lets out a clipped laugh and sips his drink.
“I wouldn’t waste your time.” He notices my back straighten, but waves his hand to stop my misunderstanding. “Back down, I didn’t mean it like that. I meant Sam, or more likely Selina, will have been to every fancy restaurant, gallery, concert…whatever in the city. You name it, she will have seen it all on the arm of one of her clients. I doubt she would consider anything like that special. What else have you got?” He swirls the amber liquid and fixes me with his intense boardroom stare. Usually I don’t have a problem with that particular look because, in a business setting, I am never without answers and solutions. In this instance, however, I have left myself absolutely no time. I have no solutions to my own problem. I hold both my hands up in surrender.
“I’ve got nothing. I was planning to spend the morning at the Mission, Skype the family in the afternoon and then watch all the versions of A Christmas Carol on Netflix…Hardly earth shattering, heart stealing activities.” I take a large gulp and wince at the hit of alcohol. I let out a heavy sigh.
“Is that your plan? You want to steal her heart?” His voice is level, and his face is again implacable. I’d hate him for that if I didn’t consider him one of my best friends.
“She may have kicked me to the curb after the wedding, even when I knew there was something more. I felt it, and she sure as shit did, too. Maybe that’s why she ended it before…I don’t know. Whatever the reason, she shut me down. I’ve given her time, but it’s enough now. I know she still feels the same. You can cut the fucking sexual tension with a chainsaw when we’re in the same room and up until tonight we’ve never actually been alone. Tonight, I made my play. Had the whole Christmas miracle thing as my backdrop. She didn’t stand a chance. Anyway, it’s Christmas, and I promised to change her mind about us… if she’d give me one day.” His lips curl with a knowing smile, and I feel tension build at the bridge of my nose. “I know…I know…I may not have been thinking with my head…not entirely anyway…It’s Christmas Eve…everything is shut…I’m totally screwed.” I take another long draw of my drink.
“You do know what she does for a living?” His tone almost sounds like a warning. I fire my own judgmental scowl at him. “Look, I’m not saying that to be an arsehole. I just want you to go into this with your eyes wide open.” He shrugs lightly, and I relax because any hint of judgment was clearly on my end.
“I’m no fucking saint, Daniel. I own a sex club, and I didn’t buy any club, I bought the club where she works exclusively. So yes, I know what she does, and it doesn’t make the slightest difference to me.” I focus on the swirling liquid, a mix of gold and lightning bouncing off the cut crystal. I murmur more to myself. “There is something about her—”
“Does she know you’re the sole owner of the club? Does she know why you bought it I mean?” He interrupts my musing.
“She thinks I’m a part owner, and no…that might creep her out.” I have the decency to look a little sheepish. I definitely had my own selfish reasons for buying the club. For one, I could be there on a regular basis without looking like a manwhore. But, more importantly, as the owner, I was able to censor the membership list and, subsequently, Sam’s pool of potential clients. I also told myself at the time I just wanted to be close in case she needed my help. It took no time at all to realise that Selina could more than take care of herself, and I was kidding myself that she was any type of damsel in distress.
“You want my advice? Be honest the first chance you get. One thing I do remember about Sam is she doesn’t like lies. In fact, from memory, she thinks all men are liars so you, my friend, are not off to a stellar start.” He grins.
“Maybe not, but that makes two of us, and I am not technically lying” I sniff at the hypocrisy of my statement. “What else do you remember?” I pause, hoping my loaded question is heard loud and clear.
“Hmm.” His brows knit together with unease. “You put me in rather an awkward position, Jason.” He narrows his eyes, but I hold his stare.
“I know.” I raise my brow for him to continue. For him to answer my question.
“Only because you are pursuing this as a relationship I will answer as my conscience allows. I was asked to complete Sam’s training. Her mentor believed in order to give pain one must understand pain.” He repeats what Sam had told him earlier. “I didn’t fuck her. That wasn’t the point of the session.”
“What was the point? Or was it just about the pain?” I find myself leaning forward eager for the insight.
“It was about pleasure,” he replies without inflection.
“Did she enjoy it?” My jaw tenses at this, and I feel an angry heat burn in my chest. Stupid I know; it was a long time ago. Before I’d even moved to London, but the thought that someone else gave her pleasure through pain drives me a little crazy. That’s what I want…me and only me.
“You would have to ask her that. I don’t believe she was disappointed with the outcome…” He pauses, but my stomach is already churning with distaste. “Honestly, I don’t think pleasure is what she took from it. She has too many barriers for one session, but then, the purpose wasn’t to train a sub. The purpose was for her to understand her role as a Domme, and that was an unmitigated success.” He switches back to my more urgent concern, effectively halting any further questions I might have that he is clearly not going to answer. “If you ask me you have solved your own problem. Take her with you tomorrow…be with her. Be with Sam not Selina. You want to be with her. She is never going to believe that if all your interactions are at the club. Show her you understand the difference.” He knocks back the remaining whiskey and places the glass on my desk. His words sink in with the same warmth the liquor is causing in my bloodstream. He is right. That’s perfect. I leave my glass with the remaining finger of whiskey untouched.
“When did you get so smart about women?” I stand and grab my jacket from the back of my chair.
“Since I married an exceptional one.” His retort is deadpan, like I have asked the most ridiculous question.
“Too bad it hasn’t rubbed off on you then…coming to work at eleven thirty on Christmas Eve—” I quip and switch the lights off as we both leave my office.
“I dropped Bethany at Sofia’s family for midnight mass. I may have left her gift in my office safe.” He smiles and holds his hand out.
“Fuck! That is a first. Good to see you’re just as fallible as the rest of us mortals.” I laugh and shake his hand before I turn to leave. “Merry Christmas. Send my love to Bethany,” I call to his retreating back.
“Good luck tomorrow, Jason…you’re going to need it!” I almost miss the last part as the lift arrives with a loud ping, but I heard it…loud and clear.
I arrive just before seven in the morning, and Sam instantly buzzes me up. I don’t generally get overly excited. I keep control of all things including my emotions but I would be lying if I didn’t acknowledge the anticipation I feel is causing a nice little buzz. I can’t believe I didn’t see the solution sooner. I think it was a case of forest for the trees, but once Daniel pointed it out, everything just fell into place, and I am more than happy to take it from here. She doesn’t stand a chance. My lips carve a wicked smile just as she opens her front door.
She dressed in a loose fitted cashmere, long, scooped neck sweater with long sleeves. The sweater rests just mid-thigh. Her skinny leatherette leggings hug her curves and leave little to the imagination. She is holding a black leather jacket and is standing almost eye level with me in black ankle boots with killer heels. She is tall, five foot ten maybe, but she still has to lift her chin to meet my eyes. She looks a little flustered, her chest rises with little rapid breaths, and she has a flush to her flawless cheeks that just makes my balls ache. Her hair is long and loose, and falls in soft waves around her face. Her eyes are so dark they look almost black but are soft too, and are framed with the longest lashes I have ever seen. She doesn’t have a scrap of makeup on, and she is flawless.
“Fuck, you are beautiful!” She looks a little shocked at my words or maybe the ferocity with which I delivered them but gives me a tentative smile all the same. Daniel said to be honest. I may as well start as I mean to go on. She steps forward but I carefully guide her back into her hallway. “But you may have to reconsider the foot wear.” I can’t believe I am saying that. Those heels look amazing, my cock twitches at the thought of her legs spread wide wearing nothing but those very boots. Nevertheless, they are wholly wrong for this morning.
“One doesn’t reconsider Louboutins, Jason,” she quips. “Unless you are planning to take me on a hike around the streets of London?” She lightly laughs at what she believes to be a rhetorical question.
“That’s exactly what I have planned.” My tone is as serious as my expression.
“You’re kidding.” Her laugh is a bit incredulous but falls flat when I remain silent with only an impatient rise of my brow. “Um…okay.” She steps back into her flat. “Come in while I find something suitable.” I smirk at her confusion and follow her inside. My large frame fills her small entrance corridor. Looking flustered, she quickly disappears into what I assume is her bedroom. I get a tingle of satisfaction that I have evoked this reaction when she is always so collected. I move closer to her door, which she left slightly ajar. I can hear her swipe through hanging clothes in her wardrobe letting out an exaggerated breath as she does. She sighs and there is the sound of her slumping to the floor.
“Problem?” I lean on the frame, and the door drags on the carpet when I push it wide open. I casually cross my arms. She looks my way. Her eyes crawl up my body at a glacial pace, greedily taking in every inch of my body, hovering at my thighs, crotch, torso, biceps, and back to my crotch. She quickly flicks her gaze up to my eyes with a shake of her head. I try to contain my shit-eating grin.
“Hmm?” I’ve distracted her, and I get that warm buzz again.
“Is there a problem? You seem to be huffing.” I bite my lip to keep from laughing at the irritation dancing in her eyes. I am glad I don’t laugh because in the next instant, she shoots to her feet and strides toward me pushing me hard in the chest. She manoeuvres me back out of her bedroom and into the hall.
“Other than you being in my bedroom you mean? Yes, I have a bloody problem…these”—she waves some worn, pale pink bunny slippers in my face like a furry weapon—“are the only bloody things I have that don’t have a heel. So, sorry, but this date…this day…is now cancelled.” She throws the bunnies down to emphasise her anger.
“I can only assume you don’t lose you temper that quickly in the club or you would have to be the worst Dominatrix in history.” I chuckle and step up to her, placing my finger on her lips silencing her anticipated come back. “And I happen to know you’re the best.” Sam flips from instant rage to pliant at my touch. “Nothing is going to stop this day from happening. So step away from the bunny slippers and let’s go. Don’t want to be late.” I flash my best smile, which she can’t help but reciprocate, and I take her hand. She kicks the offending slippers back into her bedroom, grabs her bag, and lets me lead her out of the flat.
I park my Audi R8 at the back of a large warehouse on the outskirts of the East End of London. The sign above the side entrance gives nothing away: The Mission.
“Wait here, I won’t be a moment.” Sam nods, her face the perfect picture of confusion. I return moments later, open her door and proudly hand her a pair of combat boots and a thick pair of socks, both items in her size. She takes the boots and, without question, swaps her designer heels for the replacements from the army surplus. I reach for her hand again, and my chest squeezes when her lips spread into a shy smile just as her fingers tighten around mine. She trusts me, there is no reservation in her eyes, no uncertainty, and I fucking love that. This is what I felt sixteen months ago, and it makes today more perfect. I just need to make sure she won’t shut down again.
I confidently lead her into the building, my eyes never leaving her face. However, practised she is at maintaining her other persona, her calm, her mask, the part of her that performs so well as Selina, she could not have prepared herself for what was going on inside the large building. Her face lit with understanding when she stopped just inside the door.
An organised army of maybe fifty people stacking blankets, loading waiting vans with boxes of food, drinks and kindness. Two larger mobile kitchens were already pulling out of the building when Sam turns to me, her jaw dropped, but she doesn’t make a sound. I’ve made her a little speechless. I slip a thick fleece lined hi-vis jacket over her slender shoulders and turn her to face me. I bite my lips together, unable to fully suppress my smile. I tug and shuffle the jacket closed and zip it up to her neck. Tipping her chin, I cover her lips with mine, the tenderness makes her gasp with shock, and my grin widens with pleasure. That is twice I’ve surprised her in the space of five minutes, impressive even by my standards.
“Shall we?” I wait for her to slowly open her eyes. She nods shyly and squeezes my hand.
“Okay, we’re going out with this team here for the breakfast run but we have to finish stocking the van. All this needs to be in there.” I point to neatly stacked supplies, which are already being loaded into the waiting van. “This is Rita and Ray.” I introduce Sam to the two helpers at the table of supplies. Rita and Ray smile, and Rita gives a little wave before grabbing an armful of blankets.
“Hi.” Sam gives a tentative smile and starts to help with the loading. I keep to her side. The loading takes no time at all, and every second of it I spend with a closely guarded eye on Sam. Despite my initial confidence, I am still taking a risk bringing her here; I know that. But I also know Daniel was right. I had to do something exceptional. I know her clients are rich and probably lavish her with expensive gifts. I know her independent nature is not to be underestimated, and I know money is not going to impress her. I needed to find the chink in her kinky armour. At the very least, I had to challenge her preconception of me enough to push her to reconsider what we could be.
I pull her into the back of the van, and she giggles when she loses her footing and lands in my lap. It’s such an honest sound, light and innocent. I could listen to that all day…well, that and her gasps. I’d quite like to hear those an entire day, too. I take the opportunity of her fall to wrap my arms tight around her, keeping a firm hold in place as the van pulls out of the Mission.
“You can let me go, you know. I won’t fall.” She tips her head to meet my gaze but doesn’t pull away.
“And that is why I am not going to let go. I have waited far too long, and I want you to fall.” My voice rumbles with a deep, earnest tone that makes her shiver. Her eyes hold the intensity of my gaze and reflect it back tenfold.
We spend the morning handing out blankets along the embankment, under the arches and in shop doorways. Anywhere people with nowhere to go find it secure enough or sheltered enough to rest. I carry the blankets, and Sam carries trays of warm soup, returning to the van for refills.
“You’re very quiet,” I remark on our last return journey to the van. Sam has been warm and friendly, taking extra time with those wanting to chat, and respectful of those who don’t, but she has been silent for a little while, and that troubles me.
“Just….” She hesitates, and before we reach the others I turn her to face me, lifting her chin with a single finger.
“Just?” I hold her gaze, deep eyes filled with so much turmoil.
“It feels wrong that I have enjoyed this. I mean it’s awful and tragic that in a city with so much wealth there are so many people like this, but I’ve…” She shifts uncomfortably.
“It’s not wrong. How about you try not to feel uncomfortable about helping and look at it like this… that you have rightly enjoyed spending time with me.” I tilt my head and wiggle my brows, which just makes her laugh out. I place my hand over my heart, and my mock wound. “That was supposed to be my most seductive look.” She laughs louder and slaps her hand to her mouth to quiet the noise.
“Oh, I’m sorry, but that was not seductive. Remember, I have seen you being seductive. I have been a victim of your seduction.” She waves a warning finger, which I eagerly grab. My eyes focus and narrow on her fingertip. I take it into my mouth and grip it with my teeth. She freezes, but a burst of sudden heat flashes adorably across her cheeks. I can’t hold in the deep groan that escapes from the back of my throat. I suddenly wish we were anywhere but a grimy back street in the heart of the city, and I seriously over-estimated my control if I think we can spend the rest of the day chilling to various versions of a festive Dickens classic.
We arrive back at the warehouse and join the other volunteers for a cup of tea and a mince pie. Sam blows the steam off the nuclear hot liquid. “So Jason?” Her perfectly arched brow is full of curiosity and something else, maybe confusion.
“So Sam?” I slowly sip my own drink. I share and hold the intensity of her gaze but wait for her to actually ask what is clearly concerning her if the tiny lines that now furrow her smooth forehead are any indication. I sit back and silently observe her. She is so beautiful, breathtaking really, but today, I witnessed much more. Today, I saw behind her mask. Her heart is filled with kindness and empathy, freely given without reservation or judgment. Her true nature unwittingly exposed couldn’t possibly be part of a performance when it so clearly came from her soul. She continues to hold my gaze. Her lips curl in a tender smile.
“So Jason…You do this a lot?” She leans forward and rests her chin on her steepled fingertips.
“Take a stunningly beautiful Dominatrix to a soup kitchen on a date? No, never. You are my first.” I mirror her image and lean so we are now inches from each other across the table. I notice her breath hitch a little when my arm brushes hers. Her eyes darken, and she is just about to sweep her tongue over her lips. I know this because my mouth is equally dry. Her tongue darts out, and it takes all my restraint not to grab the back of her neck and chase her tongue back into her sweet mouth with my own. I do lean in closer though, so my breath is now skimming her neck as I whisper. “I want you to be my first, Sam.”
I clear my throat the same time a tiny gasp leaves her lips. Those fucking lips. Her eyes widen when the meaning of my words settle. I am no more a virgin than she is, but if she were to switch for me, she would be the very first Domme to submit to me. It’s a heady thought, and my cock is forcing its own painful opinion on the subject, uncomfortably large in the confines of my jeans. I can see the lure of this idea is just as intoxicating to her. Desire is blazing like a raw fire in her eyes. She physically tries to check herself, straightens her back and drags her body away from my trawl. But I can sense her wavering resolve. My eyes narrow and hold her gaze. I draw in my bottom lip and drag my teeth across the flesh. Her eyes are drawn to the sensual movement only to close tight at my knowing grin.
Filled with a surge of confidence and sense of inevitability, I suck in a deep breath and choose to break the tension. “Actually, I don’t do this very often but I do volunteer at the advice centre, mostly helping with sourcing apprenticeships and some basic IT training. The Stone Foundation donates funds to several outreach projects in London, but the company encourages actual volunteering, too. This project is special…to me.” I cough to cover my error. Today is not the day for full disclosure, I doubt any day will be. She noticed my hesitation; it was hardly subtle, but I am grateful she doesn’t pry. “Volunteering’s not just for Christmas, Sam,” I tease and flash another bright smile, dispelling the momentary darkness just as quickly as it appeared.
“Oh, no, I know.” Sam flushes, strangely embarrassed. “I think this is great—” she starts to mumble.
“You could always volunteer,” I interrupt, and Sam scoffs.
“Because what these people really need are tips on being a whore.” She laughs off her joke that not only flatlines but fucking pisses me off. I snap, my volume tempered because of the surroundings, but my fury is evident in my tone.
“Don’t do that…ever!” Sam’s eyes widen with genuine shock. “Don’t disparage who you are, Sam. You would be valued, however you chose to help.” She struggles to swallow and pinches her eyes tight. When she blinks, I can see the wetness on her lashes. Fuck! I lean over and take one of her hands in both of mine. “Besides that’s not what I meant. I meant your legal knowledge would always be welcome.” Sam pushes back from the table, standing abruptly, her chair skidding loudly across the floor.
“What?” she whispers.
“Sam, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to upset you. Your flatmate was quite chatty, and he may have mentioned you passed the bar together.” I step quickly around the table and close the distance until there is none. I cup her face. She places her hand over mine.
“May have mentioned? Or did you interrogate him, Jason? Did you deliberately get him drunk? Tell me the truth, or this date ends right now.” Her soft tone couldn’t sound more serious.
“We had some drinks together, but it wasn’t my intention to get him drunk. He wasn’t drunk when I left. But I won’t lie, when he started talking about you, I did ask more questions than may have been appropriate for a casual conversation. I want this, Sam; I wouldn’t have asked it if I didn’t.” My knuckles stroke the incredible softness of her cheek. “I am in no position to judge the choices you make with your life, and I don’t. But I did want a little more information, and Leon was like a fucking gift horse.”
“Leon…always thinking he knows best. I don’t blame you. He probably targeted you.” She shakes her head and lets out a resigned puff of air. We are standing in a strangely intimate hold oblivious to our surroundings. It is only the noise of old metal shutters being pulled closed that breaks this trance. I take her hand in mine, grab our coats from the back of the chairs, and lead her outside. We leave the building, I swing her into my body, and she hits me hard, the impact is enough to wind her. She gasps, and I take that moment to seal my mouth over hers and claim that very breath as my own.
My tongue dives and dances with hers, hot, urgent, possessive. She fights and parries my every move. Her hand grabs my jacket, pulling me tighter to her soft pliant body. A deep groan vibrates through me, causing her to shudder. She sucks in deep steadying breaths. “How would this even work, Jason?” She tries to ask calmly but her panting betrays her riotous emotions.
“Say yes, Sam. The rest is just details.” My hand slips to her neck, my thumb tracing the rapid pulse at her jaw. The pressure is firm, and Sam’s eyes widen with the sinful intent this simple grip holds. She hesitates, and the pressure on my grip increases, so subtle, barely at all, but the heat from my hand mainlines like a shot of pure, erotic fire straight to her eyes. I sense the exact moment she decides. I am instantly rock hard. She hasn’t said the word, and she really doesn’t need to. It is like an unveiling of some great treasure. She is alight with acceptance and understanding. Her body thrums under my fingertips.
“Yes.” Her voice is barely audible, her affirmation is consumed by my passion, so raw it bruises her swollen lips and robs what was left of her resolve.
Buy here