TheOneandOnly (5 page)

“You’re exaggerating. The help aren’t giving you dirty
looks. And while I’d love to sample your cooking, I also want to know
everything about you. So be a little more forthcoming with the info. What’s
your favorite pizza? Ham and pineapple, I’ll bet.”

“Yep and I’m guessing you’re a pepperoni man. The greasier
the better.”

He laughed. “It’s true. I try to eat healthy, but pizza’s
goodness is measured by its grease quotient. Any foods you dislike?”

“I’m seriously allergic to seafood. I avoid everything that
lives in water. I’m not kidding. I carry an EpiPen in my purse. Other than
that, I enjoy trying new foods.”

“I’ll remember that. We should get an extra EpiPen and keep
it at the club, just in case.” He didn’t like the idea of her purse being in
the locker room and her being in trouble in the arboretum. “After we eat, we’ll
go shopping to find you something to wear tonight and I want to buy you a
collar. Do you know what that is?”

“Yes. What kind of collar?” She sounded leery and he didn’t
like it.

“It can look like whatever you want, but I want you wearing
one. I want to make sure the Doms at the club know you are off-limits. I
wouldn’t take kindly to any of them propositioning you, and without one it
would surely happen.”

“When would I be expected to wear it?”

Watching her body language, her hands fidgeting with the
napkin, he had to ask. “What’s your concern with wearing it, Michelle? Is it
the collar itself or is it the meaning behind it that has you upset?”

She looked him in the eyes and his heart did that odd
stuttering sensation he was becoming more and more familiar with. No doubt, she
affected him in ways no other woman ever had.

“What is the meaning behind it, Sean? Is it just part of the
uniform? Do all the employees wear one? Are you wanting me to wear it only at
work or whenever we’re together?”

Screw politically correct
. “Make no mistake,
Michelle, I’m asking you to wear it to show others you belong to me. I don’t
want anyone else making time with my girl. For the time being, you’d only be
required to wear it at the club. Whether you’re working or there socially,
you’ll wear the collar.” Yes, that felt much better. It wasn’t fair to Michelle
to come off as wishy-washy and placating when he had no intention of being that
way permanently.

Sean noticed her breathing had become more rapid and her
hands lay calmly in her lap. He loved how she responded to a firm hand.

“I couldn’t imagine going to the club socially.”

Before she could elaborate, Jeanne brought their food. Since
they were pressed for time, both ate their meals quickly. Jeanne stopped by
often to check on them and left the bill. Sean gave it a cursory glance and
left cash to cover the dinner and tip.

Back in the car, Michelle turned to the club membership
packet. “Do I need to fill this out? I’m not a member.”

“Staff are considered members for the length of their
employ. The fees are waived. Just fill out the first page. The interest
inventory would be something you’d share with a prospective partner. We can
discuss those things in private, so ignore that form.” He watched her eyes
widen as she scanned the inventory. He didn’t need her scaring herself. “What
about playing in public worries you?”

“Um, all of it.” She gave a nervous laugh. “Seriously, Sean,
I’m a pretty private person. I don’t do casual. I have to feel a connection to
a man before I get intimate, and intimate and public seem the opposite in my
book. I’m not judging those that think differently, I just can’t wrap my mind
around it. If this is something important to you,” she shook her head, “I don’t
know how to find a compromise on this.”

“Don’t be so quick to throw in the towel, hon. We can make
this work. Just have a little faith.” He drove a few miles to a fetish shop
owned by one of the members. It was one of the classier stores in town. With
Michelle being so new to BDSM, he needed to bring her in slowly. Yeah, like
that was going to happen! She was going to get exposed to it up close and in
person in about four hours.
Shit.

“You’re about to meet one of our members. His name is Master
Brian. He’s in a Master/slave relationship with his wife, Dana. He probably
won’t address you. He isn’t being rude. He’ll be following protocol for our
lifestyle and as such he’ll defer to me. Submissives aren’t spoken to without
permission. If you’re working, those rules won’t apply. If you have a question
inside the store, address it to me. Are you ready?”

“Oh sure.” They both started laughing at her obvious lie.

Sean was pleased she’d waited for him to open her door.
“Thank you for waiting.” He kissed her cheek before leading her into the store.
He kept his left hand on the back of her neck and his forearm nestled between
her shoulder blades. With his thumb he stroked her pulse, hoping the physical
contact would help keep her calm.

“Ahh, Master Sean, so nice of you to drop by. Dana has
earned the privilege of going out tonight and I had planned to bring her to the
club after we close.”

Sean felt Michelle tense at Brian’s greeting. “Glad to hear
it. I’d like you to meet Michelle. She’s our new bartender. We need to find
something suitable for her to wear tonight.”

Brian extended his hand to her. “It’s a pleasure to meet
you.” He turned to Sean. “I must say, I’d enjoy seeing her in the normal
uniform.”

Michelle looked to Sean. He nodded, hoping she’d understand
she could respond. He was proud of her when she shook Brian’s hand, said a
demure thank you and glanced down at the counter. Sean wasn’t sure if she’d
read that in her books or if she was naturally submissive but he was beaming.

“I’d rather the bar not become the focal point of the club.”
Sean wanted to deflect this line of conversation. He didn’t want to embarrass
Michelle any more than she already was. If her beautiful blush was any
indication, she didn’t like being the center of attention. He glanced around
the shop. “I was thinking ‘forest nymph’ would fit our needs.”

“Dana, come out here,” Brian shouted toward the back.
“Master Sean needs your expertise.”

Sean felt Michelle flinch at Brian’s mannerisms. She had no
way of knowing Dana had Brian wrapped around her little finger and all his
blowhard bullshit was just for show. Sean pulled Michelle closer to him and
gave her a kiss on the temple. Her heart was beating too fast and Sean was
worried how she’d handle the activities at the club later this evening.

Dana came out of the backroom with a huge smile on her face.
“Master Sean, you honor us with your presence. How can I be of service?”

He felt the breath Michelle had been holding leave her body
and her tension level seemed to ease. Everyone loved Dana. She was such a
sweetheart. “I want my beautiful lady dressed as a forest nymph this evening.
Do you have anything like that?”

“Right this way, dear.” Dana headed toward the back of the
store.

“Go ahead. I’ll catch up in a moment.”

“What’s the matter, sweetie? You look scared to death. Are
you new to the lifestyle?” Dana asked out of earshot from the men.

“Yeah, you could say that.” She didn’t consider herself “in
the lifestyle”. Not really.

“Don’t let the Doms frighten you, sweetie. For all their
bluster, they’re just big teddy bears.” She guffawed, “Well, some of them are
whip-wielding teddy bears, but you get the point.”

Michelle laughed a bit sharply at the mental image.

“Seriously, sweetie, I’ve been with Master for thirty years.
He’d rather cut off his arm than hurt me.” She giggled. “Well, in ways I don’t
want to be hurt.” Barely pausing to take a breath she continued on. “Anyway,
let’s see what we’ve got in your size.”

Oh, the flying monkeys were going to arrive soon if she
stayed on this path. Heaven help her.

The several outfits Dana had showed her Michelle turned down
as politely as possible. “I’d like more coverage than that. Something that I
could walk on the sidewalk wearing and not be arrested. Do you have anything
like that?”

“Sweetie, are you and Master Sean an item?”

“Well…” She had no idea
what
they were. “This is for
work. I’m the new bartender at the club.”

Dana got up on her tiptoes, steadied herself on a clothing
rack and peeked at the men. “They’re looking at collars, sweetie. I’m assuming
it’s for you. Have you known him long?”

She nodded. “He asked me…told me really…I’d be wearing his
collar tonight and every night I’m at the club, so yes, I suspect it’s for me.”

Dana touched the collar around her neck. “Oh my, let me give
you a piece of advice. Stay out of the ladies’ locker room. There are some
catty bitches who’ve been trying to sink their claws into Master Sean for a
while now. When you show up wearing his collar—whoa, I wish we could get there
early enough to watch the fireworks. Watch your back, sweetie.”

Before she could ask Dana whom she needed to watch out for,
she felt Sean’s hand along her neck. She almost moaned at the warm, safe
feeling that engulfed her at his touch.

“Find anything?”

She gave him a sheepish look. “Not yet.”

“Dana, I was thinking a corset with a wispy skirt. Do you
have anything like that?”

“Sweetie, have you worn a corset before? They can be a bit
hard to get into by yourself.”

“I’ll be happy to help her.” Sean pulled her into his chest
for a quick hug. “If you don’t smile soon, I’ll be forced to take drastic
measures,” he whispered.

She smiled from ear to ear picturing him dressed in a teddy
bear costume with a whip in his hand. Putting her palm on his chest, she put a
few inches of distance between them. “I’ve worn a corset many times, Dana. If
you’ll help me set the back ties, I’ll be fine.”

Dana chose a beautiful emerald-green corset and a
multicolored panel skirt and ushered her into a changing room.

After a few awkward moments, Michelle and Dana had the
costume fitting to perfection. Michelle looked in the mirror and was pleased
with everything but the sheerness of the skirt.

“Come out here, Michelle.” Sean barked from right outside
the dressing room.

“I need to help Master for a few minutes in the back. Yell
if you need something.” Dana slipped past the curtain, leaving her to deal with
Sean alone.

Before she could gather her courage, Sean threw the material
back, exposing her hideaway.

“You’re gorgeous, Michelle. What were you so concerned
about?” He turned her around to face the mirror.

“This skirt is see-through. Dana said it was the only one
they had to match the corset. My undies don’t look right and she told me you
wouldn’t let me wear any anyway.” She crossed her hands in front of her, trying
to keep as much of her covered as possible.

“It’s a kink club, Michelle. You’re wearing significantly
more material than most subs.”

“And a lot less than I’m comfortable with. Panties are
non-negotiable, Sean. My woohoo won’t be hanging out for everyone to see.” She
knew tears were in her eyes and she blinked fast to clear them away.

“Shh. It’s okay, Michelle.” He drew her into his arms and
ran his hands through her hair. He kissed the top of her head and held her
until her emotions were under control again. “You’re tired, hon, and nervous,
that’s all. How about a thong? Can you work with that? I know you’re gonna
think I’m crazy, but trust me on this. If you wear full-blown undies, you’ll
draw more attention than none.”

Michelle looked in the mirror again and remembered the
height of the counter she’d be behind all evening. “Okay.”

“You’re a beautiful woman, Michelle. You’ve got nothing to
worry about.” He held her for another minute or two. “I see what Dana was
talking about with this corset. I guess I’ve never looked closely at all their
strings. And just where have you been wearing a corset? I don’t like the idea
of you wearing something this—” he ran a hand along her generous shelf,
“exposed, out and about.”

“This from a kink-club owner. Talk about double standards.”
She rose on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “I’ve worked as a serving wench
since I was sixteen.” The expression on his face was priceless. “At the renaissance
faire in Huntersville every year.”

“You are full of surprises, young lady. Get dressed. I’ve
narrowed down the selection of collars and I want your opinion.” He kissed her
cheek. “Thank you for working with me on the clothing.”

Michelle changed back into her jeans and blouse as quickly
as she could. They were running short on time. When she got up to the counter,
she saw three stunning necklaces. She realized immediately her mistake. They
were collars, slave collars. Oh boy, was she ever in over her head. Still, she
couldn’t deny each one was unique and lovely in its own right. The idea of
belonging to Sean was a heady feeling.

“Do you have a preference?” Sean asked, as he wrapped his
arms around her and pulled her backside against his front.

She shook her head. “They’re all beautiful.”

He kissed her cheek again. “Dana has a couple other things
for you to look at.” He pointed back toward the clothing.

“Okay.”

As she walked away, Brian told Sean, “You’re screwed, buddy.
You’d better find yourself a new bartender damn quick.”

Her heart started hammering in her chest.
What did that
mean?
Maybe she should back out now while she had the chance.

“Sweetie, I don’t know what you did to that man. I would
have bet my last dollar you’d be naked under that skirt tonight.” She shook her
head. “I’ve known Master Sean a long time and I’ve never seen him affectionate
with anyone. A pat on the head maybe, but he hugged and kissed you. Seriously,
girl, the change in him is night and day.”

“You’re too kind, Dana. Things have been moving pretty fast
between us. I’m still trying to catch up.” She giggled.