King (22 page)

I
downed the champagne and grabbed myself another, making my way over to where a
group of women who I presumed were the
submissives
of
the men who were talking were chatting quietly. “Hi” I smiled, hoping to join
in the conversation and I wasn’t disappointed. Within seconds I realised that
gossip was as popular a topic at these parties as it was everywhere else, and
apparently I had been the subject of it for much of the evening. “We were
wondering about you” said a beautiful auburn haired girl with green eyes and a
smattering of freckles over her nose which probably made her look younger than
her years.

“Has
Jason given you that?” she said gazing at my necklace as I stroked it
absentmindedly. “Yes” I nodded as she squealed “I told you” to several other
members of the group who had crowded around us curiously. “He isn’t known for
having a permanent sub” she smiled “he usually likes to mix it up a bit, so
we’re all intrigued. How long have you been together?” I couldn’t help but
smile, the surge of pride that was beginning to become a regular feature of my
time with Jason, coursing through me again. “Not long, just three days” I
smiled and a number of them were staring at me, absolutely aghast. “Jason King
has given you that after three days” and I recognised more than a little envy
in the jealous stares from a few of them, who I immediately guessed to be the
ones who he’d ‘mixed it up with’.

 
The pretty green eyed girl with the freckles
was thankfully not one of them. I nodded, my mind turning to Jason and Sasha
and my heart sank. Why the hell had I opened my big mouth? “Is he as good as
everyone says?” she whispered conspiratorially. The answer was yes, but I was
more concerned about the ‘everyone’ who would know. It was my turn to get some
answers. I smiled and nodded. “Has he had a lot of subs at the parties?” I said
quietly, but evidently not quietly enough, and from the way at least five of
the group looked down at the floor to avoid my gaze, I knew I already had my
answer. “You could say that” she giggled, turning as a loud deep voice called
her name from across the room. Her posture shifted slightly and everything
about her became suddenly passive, subdued and inherently submissive as I took
mental notes. She had that shift down to a fine art and I knew I might need to
adapt those skills, sooner rather than later. Jason would be furious with me
for sharing that titbit of information with Sasha. “Excuse me” she smiled as I
watched her walk over to the handsome Italian, gazing up at him lovingly as I
turned to the rest of the group.

The
atmosphere in the room shifted, several of the women looking up behind me
adoringly as I felt the firm hand grip my shoulder. “We’re leaving” he said
firmly as I turned around, trembling slightly at the tone in his voice and
wondering silently if I’d ruined everything. I tried to recreate the pretty
girl’s stance and expression, turning slowly to face him, looking up shyly at
his unreadable face. If he was angry he wasn’t showing it, but he wasn’t
showing anything else either, as I said a soft “excuse me” to the group and
followed him out of the room, out of the marble entrance and down the steps
into his waiting car.

I
sighed as he pulled me onto his lap, holding me closely, more in relief than
anything else and my heart was pounding. It was a reaction that was way over
the top, but my emotions were so intense and all over the place, there was no
rational reasoning for the way I felt tonight. “Are you angry?” I whispered as
he shook his head.
“Only with myself, not with you.
I
need to know that you’re OK?” “Yes of course I am” I smiled “tonight has been
absolutely wonderful” I said to reinforce the point as he exhaled deeply, his
features softening as he kissed me gently.

“What
did Sasha say?” I asked eventually. I knew she would tell me on Monday, but I
wasn’t sure I could wait that long. “She read me the riot act and from a women
in rubber that’s not an easy thing to take. I bet she makes a bloody good
Domme
” he grinned and I couldn’t help but laugh. “She was
right though. What I did tonight was really irresponsible and I went too far,
much too soon” he said, the regret palpable in the heavy weight of his voice.
“I got carried away, I wanted to push your limits but I shouldn’t have done it”
he sighed. “I loved it” I grinned, partly to make him feel better and partly
because it was true.

“Jesus
Charlotte, you keep surprising the hell out of me, do you know that” he laughed
as I nuzzled against him. “You too” I grinned as he possessed my mouth in a
heart stopping kiss that took my breath away and lasted until we pulled up
outside the front door of my apartment. My heart sank. I knew we wouldn’t sleep
together but I wasn’t ready to let him go just yet, and it was evident from the
way my face fell. “I’ve got an early start to drive to my parents but I’ll stay
with you until you fall asleep, OK?” he smiled and I nodded, flooded with
relief that it wasn’t goodnight.

I
could smell him on my covers when I woke and nuzzled into it, replaying all the
events of last night in my mind and smiling happily. If I had surprised Jason
King, he had more than surprised me. The brooding magnificent dominance, I had
imagined. The gentle tender protection and affection, I had not. No wonder he
had a fabulous reputation on the scene, he was absolutely the perfect mix, and
I knew I would have to be very careful not to let myself get carried away. I
ran my fingers along my bare neck and gasped until I saw the box lying on the
cabinet at the side of my bed and sighed in relief. He had removed the necklace
and left it there for next time. I noticed with a smile as I flipped it open to
look at it again, that he had not left the key.

I
was looking forward to seeing Katie and hoped she would be free this afternoon,
for a few drinks and a girly natter. I could talk about Jason to a point with
her, and I would tell her everything I could without risking his or Sasha’s
confidence. I was desperate to get a full on disclosure about what was
happening with Robbie and hoped that she was free for lunch or at least a
couple of hours, smiling at the thought as I sent the text.

How about a big fun Sunday?

She probably
wouldn’t be awake yet. I showered and dressed and went about the washing and
the cleaning and the other household chores I’d all but ignored all week,
grateful that we had gone straight to the bedroom last night. If Jason had seen
the state of the rest of the apartment he’d probably have run for the hills. It
was another hour before the text came back as I was dusting the living room and
craving a
mojito
.

Definitely! La Bodega
Negra
Soho 12.30? I’ll ask Sash too x

I was already
looking forward to it. The restaurant was our favourite little find and
impossible to miss, positioned beneath a lurid Soho shop front ablaze with huge
neon signs screaming ‘Sex shop’ and I laughed out loud. How utterly appropriate
I thought to myself, as I sent the text back.

Excellent.
See you both there x

After
a quick restyle to ensure I wouldn’t look out of place in the ultra trendy New
York import and just in case I ran into someone famous and got accidently
papped
, I made my way up to Soho, giddy to see the girls
and embark on an afternoon which I prayed would not commence with shots of
tequila. As I arrived at the restaurant, they were both there, and from the
little glasses lined up on the table waiting for me, I realised my prayers had
not been answered and they were grinning broadly.

At
this time on a Sunday, tequila just seemed wrong, but the intimate environment
and moody lighting in the vaulted space, hid the fact that it was the middle of
the day as I settled into my denim covered chair, gazing at the incredible
cardboard edge-of-the-city landscape that dominated the room and grinned right
back.

I
couldn’t help but laugh, taking in the anatomical posters on the walls
depicting stockings and suspenders and Mexican wrestling masks, casting a quick
glance at Sasha and wondering if there was a subconscious reason I loved this
place so much.

 
“So what’s new?” I smiled at Katie “I haven’t
had the chance to catch up with you properly about Robbie. How is it?” Her
returning frown and slightly sad eyes made my heart drop, as I chinked their
glasses and we sunk our first tequila. “It’s OK?” she said, utterly
unconvincingly. “Come on, what’s up?” smiled Sasha kindly. “Spill it girl,
that’s what we’re here for”. I couldn’t help my puzzled frown at the flush that
ensued and wondered just exactly what Katie was about to reveal. It wasn’t like
her to be embarrassed about anything, so whatever it was must be out of her
comfort zone and hugely personal. She looked between us both, gazing at the
table and took a deep breath.

“I
really like him, we have such a laugh, but he wants me to do things I don’t
think I’m entirely comfortable with” she sighed. “Like what?” said Sasha, very
directly and I couldn’t help but smile. “Oh God this is mortifying” laughed
Katie gently, downing another tequila as we all followed suit. I was just
staring at her and so was Sasha. “He asked if he could rim me last night” she
said, gazing at the table as Sasha laughed. I didn’t, and could totally understand
her reservations on that particular front.

“And?”
Sasha said calmly, clearly wanting
more details as the flush rose up Katie’s body, probably intensified by the
strength of the tequila. “He likes me to order him around in the bedroom” she
continued and I couldn’t help a glance at Sasha as she flashed her eyebrows at
me. Jesus Christ, we were a strange bunch. Until I’d met Jason, the most
exciting thing I’d ever done sexually was doggy style. Not anymore, my inner
wicked grinned gleefully. “He’s utterly gorgeous and I want to please him but
it’s a bit, you know...” she stopped and I nodded.

I
totally understood the weight and depth of feelings behind the ‘you know’.
Sasha
was not quite so understanding
. “So did you do it
then?” she asked quickly as Katie flushed again and nodded slowly. “And what
did you think?” she
persisted,
the girl was a one
women interrogation machine. “It was nice” said Katie, seemingly unable to
quite believe that she’d voiced that particular feeling.

“So
what’s the problem?” grinned Sasha who clearly found the whole strange sex
thing a bit more cut and dried than Katie and I who were infinitely newer to
the whole scenario. “It’s just a bit weird” she smiled as I looked around at
the unusual sexual scenes depicting stockings and Mexican wrestling masks as
Katie read my thoughts. “We’re in the right place to discuss weird though” she
laughed, ordering three wines from the waiter and throwing us each a menu.

“Seriously
Katie, if you like it and it turns him on, why do you care?” Sasha said gazing
at the menu. She wanted to get to the heart of the problem. Personally, I would
have just left it at that. She looked at me before answering. “I like someone
else to be in charge in the bedroom” Katie said quietly and I couldn’t help the
small bit of wine that escaped my lips as I nearly choked on my Pinot
Grigio
. “I knew you’d be like that Charlotte” she frowned,
looking slightly pissed off and clearly thinking I was an almighty prude. “Like
what?” I laughed gently, knowing that I’d have to tell her my little secret,
and realising that timing would be crucial. It was likely she’d respond just as
I had, and if she was
chowing
down on a taco when I
did it, that would be the end of my blouse.

“I
dunno
. Shocked I suppose” she smiled as I blazed a
huge one right back at her. “I’m a dominatrix” announced Sasha matter of
factly
, which led to another unexpected Pinot
Grigio
leakage as
Katie
gasped
audibly, eyeing her friend suspiciously. “Seriously, I’m not taking the piss”
she confirmed as Katie continued to look at her puzzled. “I’m only saying
because I can help you with this, but I’d appreciate if you didn’t tell anyone
else” she smiled. Katie looked at me and frowned, clearly wondering why I
hadn’t expressed the same, stunned reaction. “Has he always asked you to boss
him around, or just last night?” she went on. “Last night was the first time,
before that, he’s always been quite stern and sexy and a little bit deviant”
she laughed, blushing. “OK then. It sounds like he likes to switch roles.
You’re going to have to let him know what you want and get good at giving a bit
back, if you want to continue things with him” she said simply as Katie just
stared at her, lapping up the advice from our unlikely sex oracle.

“I
definitely want things to continue with him” she squealed. “The man’s a fucking
underwear model, not to mention his brilliant
mind,
you should see some of the work he’s created for his finals. It’s
groundbreaking and truly amazing architecture” she smiled proudly and I could
see the warmth for him written over every feature of her face as I grinned
broadly.

The
friendly waiter came to take our orders of braised beef, lamb and soft shell
crab tacos as we resumed our conversation. I wondered if the time was right to
open up. “At least one of us has a nice normal relationship. How are things
going with King?” she smiled and I couldn’t help but laugh. “This is another
one you need to keep to yourself Katie” as she looked at me, eyes brightening
in curiosity as Sasha sat half smiling and I suspected that after last night,
she still wasn’t very happy with Jason.