“Well, he wouldn’t be the first Dom in history to become smitten with an inexperienced submissive.” His hand moved to my knee and danced along my inner thigh. “I’ve never regretted collaring a certain untrained newcomer to the scene.”
“That certain untrained newcomer is thankful you took a chance on her.”
“The difference, I think, is that you were a natural, and apparently Lynne is very skittish.” He frowned. “I wouldn’t have had you over for the weekend if you were skittish.”
“Are you worried about Lynne? Do you think she’s jumping into this simply to be around Simon?”
“I thought about that, but Simon said it was just her personality. To be honest, I’m going to set aside some time for the two of you to talk. I’d like your view on her.”
I raised an eyebrow at him.
He laughed. “Don’t look at me like that. You’re an excellent judge of character and you’ve been in the lifestyle long enough to have an honest opinion about things.”
“I guess that makes sense.” What would it have been like if a more experienced submissive had talked to me before Nathaniel collared me all those years ago? Would they have found it odd I wanted to submit only to him and not any other Doms?
I set my hand over his and entwined our fingers. “I’ll talk with her, but keep in mind, the heart isn’t the most rational organ.”
His smile was soft and warm. “I know that all too well, Abby. All too well.”
Chapter Two
Friday afternoon I waved good-bye to Elizabeth and Henry as they drove off with Linda. The silence of the house greeted me when I stepped back inside and I stood in the foyer to let the stillness wash over me. I took a few deep breaths as if I could inhale quiet and make it a part of my body. I’d enjoy the quiet while I could; it wouldn’t be too long before I’d miss the messes and giggles.
As it had every other free moment I’d had this week, my mind immediately drifted to Meagan and her e-mail and phone call. I had answered her the night before and was waiting for her to confirm our meeting dates and times.
Thrilled to finally have some private time to be at the computer, I went into the library and checked to see if Meagan had replied. I tapped my foot as I waited for my e-mails to load and my heart jumped up to my throat when I saw she had. I read over the information she sent, marking on my calendar the meeting details. She’d also sent more information about the television show.
I finished reading everything and looked at the time. Four thirty. Shit. I shut the laptop down and hurried up to the bedroom. I’d have to rush if I was going to have time to prepare for Nathaniel. He worked in the city, so it’d take him a while to make it home to our Hampton estate.
He expected me to be in the playroom, waiting, by five o’clock. I barely made it.
Normally, a feeling of peace and contentment washed over me as soon as I knelt in place. But as I dropped to my knees the only thing on my mind was Meagan’s e-mail and the upcoming meeting. I thought about who I’d have watch the kids and what I’d wear to the meeting. My brain spun around in multiple directions before I realized how much time had passed. I couldn’t be entirely positive because he didn’t have a clock in the playroom, but I was fairly certain it was about a quarter after five. Where was he?
My knees ached. He wouldn’t mind if I stood up and stretched, would he? He’d never know and I’d hear him when he entered the house and could quickly get back into position. I wouldn’t even have to do it that long, just a quick stretch and roll of my shoulders.
Should I or shouldn’t I?
Another minute passed.
I should.
I lifted my head—and screamed.
Nathaniel was standing in front of me.
“Abigail.”
“Fuck, you scared me,” I said, my body shaking. How did he get into the house, much less the playroom, without me knowing?
“Obviously,” he said.
I straightened my posture and took a deep breath.
He walked with careful steps over to me. He simply stood quietly for several long seconds before saying, “Put your forehead to the floor with your ass in the air and remain like that so I can enjoy the sight of you.”
I was comfortable for about zero seconds. The position was humiliating; I knew how exposed I was. Behind me, he saw everything. I could hide nothing. To keep my mind off what he was looking at, I thought once more about the blog and the upcoming meeting.
Based on how the weekend went, I would have plenty of material to post. I wouldn’t have to resort to our past like I’d been known to do. The last three posts had been recycled from years ago. The downside to recycling posts was that he didn’t comment on them.