Saving Sunni (36 page)

“Wow, this is so cool,” Debi whispered to me as I showed her how we all liked our coffee. I nodded, not wanting to encourage her to speak any more than was necessary. We picked up two cups each and carried them back to our group.

sage was setting a plate of chocolate chip cookies on the table in front of Sir. She took the hand I offered and knelt gracefully next to him, even in her heels. I was impressed. She must have been practicing that. She didn’t relax, though. She sat with an almost military bearing that gave the impression of an alert guard dog. It might have looked strange if it hadn’t seemed so natural. It also made Sir look even more commanding than he did already, and besides, who was I to knock anything that had to do with dogs? I allowed myself a small doggie fantasy and wriggled myself a little closer to him.

Sir Matthew came to sit next to Sir, and amy took her place, giving us all a smile before leaning into his knee and almost drifting off in her own world. She always preferred sitting on the floor, and I wondered if it put her in a mild subspace.

Once everyone had gotten drinks and settled into their seats, Sir cleared his throat. All evening there had been an almost palpable feeling in the air that something important was afoot. Now it intensified and all eyes turned to focus on our little group. With a casual coolness that had always marked him as a leader, he laid a hand on my shoulder and sage’s and looked at each of us in turn before returning his gaze to the crowd and beginning to speak in his deep, sonorous voice.

“Friends,” he said, “as you all know, these last weeks have been very trying for my girls and me—as indeed it has been for the entire community. I would like to apologize to each and every one of you personally for any inconvenience the unwanted media attention may have caused you.”

Nearly everyone tried to speak at once, but Sir held up his hands and the crowd quieted to see what he would say next. He looked around the room to meet everyone’s eyes before he spoke again.

“As we each know and hold to be true, as a master and head of a household, when one of those who looks to us has a problem or is the cause of an issue, we are the ones to step forward and shoulder the blame. My girl sunni had the unfortunate luck to have an ex-husband who was a malicious toad.”

He raised the hand from my shoulder and allowed his fingers to find purchase in my hair and pulled it in that special way. An unexpected rush of endorphins flooded my brain when he let the handful of hair go, sending a ripple of release through me.

“That man managed to film a scene I conducted here in this very club and released that video to the media. The unwanted attention caused many of us troubles we would not have had otherwise. Mary had numerous issues with her landlord, who did not like the spotlight thrown on his building and holdings. She should be commended for the way she fought and won the right to have and operate this wonderful club so many of us call home. Master Roger, who was not able to be with us tonight, was so harassed by the media and narrow-minded members of the general populous that he is no longer willing to promote and operate Decadence in Denver.”

The sudden upswell of noise was deafening in the enclosed room and continued for several long moments. It took longer that time, but Sir was finally able to regain control of the floor and went on.

“I know that is upsetting news, but have faith and bear with me just a bit longer, please. Finally, I myself lost my job and the career I have worked so long and hard for in this fine country.”

He continued before the crowd could get going again. “However, there is not only a silver lining to this whole situation, but a golden opportunity. Our most gracious hostess, Mary, was able to arrange a meeting between myself and a benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous. I won’t go into all of the details at this time, since much of it hasn’t been finalized, but let me share this much with all of you. This benefactor is a successful businessperson of means and has asked me to front an organization that will be tasked with the mission of educating and informing the general public about alternative lifestyles. This will include same-sex couples, polyamorous families, bdsm participants, those who exercise their right to engage in power exchange relationships, as well as many others. This organization will conduct training classes, interact with the media, engage in an all-out social media blitz, and facilitate lectures and speaking engagements around the country.”

I saw out of the corner of my eye that sage was maintaining the rigid position she had taken, so I straightened my back and concentrated on looking like part of an important organization.

“Sir Matthew has graciously agreed to assist in the first of these endeavors by joining his house with mine in partnership to buy Decadence from Roger.”

Expressions of surprise rippled through the room. “We believe there need to be some changes in the way Decadence is run. As we all know, attendance has been falling lately. We have some ideas on how to bring it back to the glory of its former years, but we are going to need your help to make it a success.”

The room exploded in delighted chatter and affirmations of help. My chest swelled in pride at the willingness of our community to pull together and make the world a better place. Things were going to be rocky for a while as our lives settled into the changes that were coming, but I also knew that we would make it.

When the congratulations finally subsided, Sir addressed the room one more time. “I have a few more announcements to make tonight, if you are willing to indulge me. I know I have dominated—if you’ll pardon the pun—the discussion so far, but there is more that I need to address that will affect many in the room.”

He looked briefly around but no one spoke. “Some of you are familiar with the store known as The Fringe Element. That store is now under new management.”

With that, he leaned down and put a hand under my elbow, signaling me to stand. I glanced around, suddenly shy as I returned the curious looks of those in the room.

Sir smiled at me. “I am proud to announce that my girl sunni is that new management. It is a wonderful store and, with a name like that, how could it not be a place for our community to come together? As part of the changes that will be taking place there, we would encourage any local artists or craftsmen to contact us about the possibility of the store carrying their wares. We desperately need a good corseter, so please pass the word around.”

I smiled nervously as the group applauded. I resumed my place on the cushion and saw him signal Debi to rise. She tried her best to look serious and dignified, but she couldn’t manage it, and finally jumped up with a radiant smile.

“Many of you were here on a night not long ago when this young lady made her club debut. She has petitioned to join my house provisionally and has accepted a collar of protection from me. As she begins her new life in the community, I would like to share her new name with all of you. This tender flower will henceforth be known as daisy. She is bright as a spring flower and will be a wonderful addition to our household.”

Sir attached a small pin to her top before helping her back down. He’d had the pin made to look like our house patch, so that it would convey to the community that she belonged to us. As she knelt back down, sage and I turned and enveloped her in a hug. She put her arms around us in return, and she sniffed, trying not to cry. Sir leaned down and joined our huddle, even though it probably detracted from his normal dignified demeanor.

Although none of us spoke, I knew we were each thinking about the dramatic changes that were ahead for all of us. There would no doubt be challenges in adding another person to our household, even if it wasn’t permanent, and we had no idea how much money Sir would make in his new position or if the store could make up the difference and allow sage to finish school. But we exchanged confident smiles anyway, assuring ourselves and each other that we were a family, and together we would make it work.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank our family and friends for their support and their love as they try to understand the path we are on. We know it is not traditional and your willingness to give us the benefit of the doubt is what makes you all wonderful and such an important part of our lives. We would also like to thank the Puppies in the Mountains group who allowed us to attend their 2011 event and answered all of our questions about their way of life and form of play. Finally, we want to thank the leather, poly and kink communities across the country, not only for all of the time spent talking to us at various events but for the courage to live the lives and the identities that make you the wonderful people you are.

About the Authors

Reggie and Kasi Alexander are in a real-life Master/slave, polyamorous relationship and enjoy sharing their lifestyle with their readers. They live in the Denver, Colorado, area but can often be seen selling their handcrafted chainmail jewelry (www.polyspleasures.com) or presenting classes on lifestyle issues at fetish events around the country.

www.kasialexander.com

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