SATED: #3 in the Fit Trilogy (9 page)

“We would never ban you. Ever. We were hoping The Club would be yours one day, if you want me to be completely honest.” Mistress Evelyn said the words so casually it made Daniel blink.

“I—excuse me?”

“You don’t think Philip and I have talked about it?”

“Well I don’t particularly like thinking about you two not being around for The Club
not
to be yours.”

“It’s going to happen one day, sweetheart. And even before then we’d like to retire from everything. Well, from the responsibility. We want to be around to see the place given into the right hands.”

“But I couldn’t even afford the space and everything else—”

“That’s what the membership is for.”

Daniel had almost forgotten. Membership to the club came with several caveats, one being that you paid a sum to be invited to one of the most exclusive bondage establishments on this side of the country, but Daniel had never paid a dime. Master Philip wouldn’t let him.

“I’m flattered, but what about Meegan, or Shane, or the boys?” Wouldn’t their sons want dibs on such a valuable piece of downtown LA real estate?

“Meegan’s not right for it. Jordy and Ray have their trust. You don’t think we’re making the right decision?”

“No. I just…I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you’ll think about it. Say you’ll consider it a gift from us to you.”

“And Keira? You want to know how serious I am about her? How she plays into all this?”

Evelyn frowned. “No. Why would you think that? I just want to know more about this girl who has you so wrapped up. Nothing beyond that.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to say that—”

“Sweetheart, if you’re still working things out with her, take your time. Relationships develop and play out in the way they’re meant to. No matter what happens, we’re here for you, and Keira for that matter. If she needs us.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that.”

“Can you bring her to the Christmas party? It’ll be more cookies and punch than kink anyway. She’ll have a great time.”

Daniel didn’t doubt that for a minute, but still…

“Give me more news. How are things at the fireworks factory? How’s Mama?”

The change of subject actually helped. Work and family Daniel could talk about with ease. He wasn’t exactly sure what his problem was when it came to Keira and The Club, but he needed to figure it out.

✶

Keira’s glance flicked to the clock at the top of her computer screen. Daniel would be there any moment. She was still sitting on her bed, forcing herself to breathe. Everything was going to be fine.

ItsKeiraTime:
I’m going to chicken out.

LoriNLynn+Twins:
don’t you dare. you said he said he loved you. you’ve been hanging out AND sleeping together for weeks!

ItsKeiraTime:
but it was a like a post sex buddy-buddy “i love you, buddy” kind of i love you.

LoriNLynn+Twins:
whatever. guys dont accidentally say i love you. nobody does.

Keira wasn’t exactly sure she believed that, considering Daniel hadn’t said it again since that night at his place, but she knew there was something serious between them. They spent all their free time together and when they weren’t together they were texting each other.

LoriNLynn+Twins:
just ask him and if he says no then you know where you stand with him.

ItsKeiraTime:
no you’re right.

As Keira hit ‘send’, her doorbell rang.

ItsKeiraTime:
he’s here. gotta jet.

LoriNLynn+Twins:
Good luck! Lynn says good luck too!

Keira sent two kissy faces and an XOXO before signing out of her email. Part of her plan included her laptop, but she didn’t want chat boxes and alerts popping up while she was trying to focus. She set down her computer and went to the door. Daniel was there, looking all perfectly handsome and beautiful and hot. He’d just gotten a haircut, the sides of his head practically buzzed clean. Keira actually bit her lip as she looked at him.
God, please let him say yes.

He held up the bag in his hand. “Chicken fried rice and just chicken fried rice.”

“You kept asking what else I wanted. I just wanted the rice. But thank you. Come in.”

He slid by her, kissing her forehead as he headed toward the couch. “You okay?” Was it that obvious? Her nerves were so twisted up she was practically vibrating.

“Yeah I’m fine,” she said, even though her voice nearly cracked. She watched Daniel as he made himself comfortable and he watched her as she stood by the door like it wasn’t her apartment, like they hadn’t made plans that involved them actually being on the same side of the room.

“Actually, no. Well yeah. I wanted to ask you something.”

“Okay…” He slowly eased back into the couch cushions, a look of dread clouding his face.

“Gosh, I should have just said ‘Daniel, we need to talk.’”

“Yeah, that’s how it sounds.”

“It’s not bad. I swear. Okay.” Keira rushed over to the couch and made a space on the coffee table in front of him. “So tonight I had two plans, but one plan depends on what you say to the thing I have to ask you. Okay?”

“Okay, shoot.”

“I really like you and I really like all the time we’ve been spending together and I love that you will watch
Galaxis
with me and cartoons, and all the other silly stuff I like. And you indulge my weirdly specific food requests. You’re awesome. I like you. But I also know that we’re kinda different. I’m more traditional, you could say, and I thought about it, being a hip woman, keeping up with the times who can be with someone and sleep with someone who’s seeing other people, but I’m not really. Not that I think you’re seeing other people. I don’t know when you’d find the time, but yeah. I was wondering what you thought about possibly being exclusive. Like you being my boyfriend.”

“You’re asking me if I want to be your boyfriend?”

Keira wanted to throw up. “Yeah.”

Daniel looked at her for a moment, his expression completely blank. The silence would be perfectly filled with the sound of her barfing. And it would be if he didn’t say or do something soon.

“You can say no. I mean of course you know you can say no. But if you said no I would understand. I’m a weirdo fangirl sci-fi geek who talks too much. I’m not sure I’d want to date me either. I just thought I’d ask.”

Daniel slid forward and took her hand. His fingers were so warm. She thought of how they felt trailing down her back as she fell asleep in his arms and she wondered if that was over. If he was soothing her one last time before he walked out of her life.

“You know you might be my first real girlfriend since high school?”

“Really?”

“Yup. You know me, living that wild bachelor life.”

“Oh, I just figured… You’re so hot though.”

Daniel’s laugh made Keira bite the inside of her lip again. “Well not quite as beautiful as you, but I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Can I take the fact that you didn’t just jump out my window as a sign that you’re saying yes?”

“Yes, baby. I’m saying yes.”

Keira let out a huge sigh, letting her whole body sag forward. But that was just the first part.

“What sort of plans for the evening come with a yes?” Daniel asked.

“Well, you can pick. One second.”

Keira jumped up and ran to her room. She’d prepared everything she needed and put it into a Melrose Fitness tote for easy transport to the other end of her apartment. Daniel hadn’t made a break for it while she was gone, confirming that the yes still stood.

“So there’s a Twilight Zone marathon on tonight and I thought we could play a combination drinking/stripping game to the repetitive themes. Or… I was hoping you’d let me try that edging thing you told me about.”

Daniel’s eyebrow went up. “What’s in the bag?”

Keira reached down and started pulling out the pieces of plan B. “I got this ball gag cause you said you wanted to be gagged. And then I was going to get handcuffs, but no—’cause, duh. I did some research and this rope was highly recommended. The store only had this length in neon green. I hope that’s okay.”

“Green’s fine.”

“Then I got this oil that shouldn’t stain the couch or clothes, and then I got this. The man at the store said this was the best one, besides a full kit.” She handed Daniel the box enema. When she looked up, his expression had gone from pleasantly surprised to pure shock.

“Is this too much? You can tell me if I’m doing it wrong. All the edging stuff I looked up seemed to be better for the guy if some prostate stimulation was involved. I got these cool black rubber gloves too. He said some people like them. They look sexy, I guess,” she added with a shrug. They were pretty neat.

“No, this isn’t too much at all. Why don’t we throw on the Twilight Zone and then we’ll put all this into play.”

“Great. I did a lot of reading. I’m kinda aching to apply my knowledge.”

“I bet you are. Come here,” Daniel said as he slid even farther to the edge of the couch. Keira met him halfway, brushing her lips against his until he leaned in a little more. Then his arms were around her and they were both standing, lost in the kiss. She was so glad she hadn’t chickened out. If she had, she wouldn’t be the proud, new owner of this awesome boyfriend who also happened to be the best kisser on Earth. She couldn’t wait to tell Lori.

Daniel took his time getting ready. Not that he wasn’t familiar with this sort of preparation, but he needed a few moments to think. It wasn’t a matter of what he had just done, what he’d just agreed to. Keira was great, she was perfect. Any man would be lucky to have her and she’d decided that she wanted him to be that man. And that was all well and good for tonight, but at some point he was going to have to make the tough call. He was going to have choose between Keira and The Club and these people he’d come to know as his family.

He hadn’t seen anyone from his kinky life in weeks. There had been plenty of texts and calls, but after he got a message from Marcos saying that Mistress Evelyn had mentioned he was some seeing someone, a fact he confirmed, the texts and calls stopped. He knew they were being respectful and giving him space, but there was a sense on everyone’s part, even his own, that he would be back. It was just a matter of time.

But now the decision had been made for him. Keira had said it out loud, plain and clear. She wanted him to herself. Daniel was pretty sure tag-teaming various submissives with Master Philip was out of the question. He could kiss his amateur porn-making days goodbye. And if he really wanted to see this relationship with Keira through, it would probably be a good idea to decline Mistress Evelyn’s offer to take over The Club.

But he figured he could worry about all of that another time, at least after the weekend.

He finished up in the bathroom, stashing the towel he’d used after his shower in the hamper.

He could hear Keira talking to herself as he came down the hall.

“Gosh, I hope I don’t screw this up. He needs his circulation.”

Daniel was just about to ask what she was talking about when he turned the corner and saw what she was wearing. She stood as soon as she saw him, gripping the length of rope in her hand. She glanced down when she realized he wasn’t staring at her face.

“Oh, I—ah—I figured I should wear something dominatrix-y, but this was all I could come up with.”

Daniel looked her up and down, taking in the black push-up top that came with ribbons that she’d criss-crossed down her torso. There were black thigh-high socks with white stripes that added to the overall sexiness of the situation. What he couldn’t take his eyes off of was the pair of lace panties she was wearing that appeared to be crotchless.

Daniel swallowed. “I think it’ll work just fine. Turn around a sec.”

“Um, excuse me. I think I’m in charge tonight.”

“Just humor me.”

“Fine.” Keira spun around with a sigh, bending over a bit to give Daniel the view he was clearly looking for.

Definitely crotchless. Somehow he managed to keep his hand to himself, but his erection, which had started to rise during his preparations, now showed up for the full occasion. It was just as difficult to keep his hand off his dick.

“Good?” Keira asked, still slightly bent over.

“Yeah we’re good.”

“Excellent. Please come to the couch, but remain standing. Please.”

Daniel followed orders, coming to stand in front of the couch, where Keira had put down a thick towel to cover the cushions. Her laptop was open on the coffee table. A video he’d watched a while ago, a rope tutorial by Madam May, an amazing bondage expert, was queued up.

“Also, excuse the laptop and the video. I want to make sure I get this right. Just bear with me.”

“I’m bearing.”

Daniel stood patiently as Keira began binding his arms to his sides. She talked to herself the entire time, but she barely glanced at the screen as the knots and loops came together down the length of his torso. He wondered how many times she’s practiced. And on whom. After a few short moments she stood back to admire her work.

“Is it too tight?”

Daniel moved his arms, just a fraction of an inch. “Perfect.”

“Great,” she said with the enthusiasm he’d loved about her from day one. “Can you snap?”

Daniel responded with a loud snap of his fingers.

“Excellent.”

He had to laugh at the huge smile on Keira’s face and the way she bounced up on the balls of her feet, but she had every right to be proud of herself. This was a night of firsts for her and so far she was knocking every bit of it out of the park.

“Would you like me to sit?” he asked.

“Yes, please. I must administer the ball gag.”

Daniel sat, shaking his head at her silliness. She carefully secured the gag in his mouth, then gave him a light shove. It wasn’t enough to move him, but he still flopped back against the couch.

Keira slid onto the floor between his legs. “K, here I go. Snap if the pleasure is just too much for you.”

All Daniel could do was nod.

He channeled years of training, years of patience, as he watched her grab the bottle of massage oil and proceed to pour the slick liquid all over his dick. He watched her face as she watched the warm liquid run down his balls. She added more, then wasted no time spreading it around his sac.