So what was it?

He’d been honest with her the night before. He had planned to stop after that last orgasm and it did comfort him that she said her safe word when she felt the need.

When they’d made it back to the house, he’d drawn a bath and washed her. After, he’d poured them both some wine and they cuddled some more in bed.

He didn’t plan on her doing anything sexual for at least the next twenty-four hours. Her body had been tested last night and it needed to recuperate. More importantly, her mind probably did, too.

Though he normally took her mouth after she meditated, today, he stood in front of her and held out his hand.

“Slip your dressing gown on and come have breakfast with me,” he said.

She looked up at him and her eyes were red and wet.

“Sasha?” he dropped down to her side and put his arms around her. This wasn’t a panic attack, this was something more. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

She sobbed. “I don’t know.”

“I do,” he said. “You’re having one hell of a sub drop.” Her body’s adjustment to the drop in endorphin levels had never been this severe, but it wasn’t unexpected due to the night before.

“It’s never been so bad before.”

“I imagine not, but I’m here and we’re going to get through it.”

She brought her knees to her chest and hugged them. “Okay.”

“First thing you need to do is get some clothes on and eat something. Let me make a quick phone call while you get dressed.” He’d had a few calls scheduled for today, but he needed to be with Sasha. The calls could wait.

She looked delicate and fragile when she stepped out of the bathroom. He held out his hand and she hurried to take it. At least she still liked him to touch her.

“Ready to eat?” he asked.

“Yes, Sir.”

“I think I’ll just do something quick. Oatmeal sound good?”

“Perfect, Sir.”

In his mind he updated his plans so he could be with her. They would eat breakfast and go on a walk around the property. Exercise usually helped sub drop, and he’d been wanting to get Sasha’s opinion on the landscaping and to see if she had any ideas on improving the yard.

He squeezed her hand as they walked down the stairs. Hopefully, by this afternoon or evening, she’d feel more like her normal self.

While they ate, she brought up something that took him completely by surprise. He’d just finished making a cup of tea when she asked, “You know what I’d like to do?”

“What?”

“I’d like for you to host a tea party and have me serve everyone.”

He put his teacup back down. “Indeed? Where did that come from?”

She ducked her head. “I was watching you drink your tea and thought about how much I liked serving it to you. And then I thought I’d like to it do for more than one person. Like you’d talked about once before. I’ve never served tea for a group. And part of me would like to show people I’m better than I was last night.”

Her words were hurried, like she was afraid he’d turn her down or say no.

“Your mind is a delight, Sasha.”

She blushed slightly.

“I think a party would be a brilliant idea, but I want you to do it because you want to. There is no need for you to try and make up for an error that’s already been corrected.”

“I understand.”

She didn’t appear as though she was going to change her mind, so he simply added, “I’ll give it some thought.”

•   •   •

The following Wednesday night, ten minutes before people were due to arrive, Sasha stood in the kitchen, mentally running through Cole’s plans for the day. The food was all prepared and ready to serve. It wasn’t time to boil water for the tea just yet. She’d moved the china into the dining room earlier. Cole had decided to only invite the senior Dominants for tea.

She pressed her palms against the black dress Cole had picked out for her to wear. It felt damn awkward wearing clothes. Made her feel like she was hiding something. A nervous giggle escaped her. Who would have thought she’d ever feel more comfortable walking at home either naked or in skimpy lingerie than fully clothed?

“What’s so funny, little one?”

She jumped at the sound of Cole’s voice. Damn it. How did she miss him entering the kitchen? He stood in the doorway wearing a suit and tie. His hands were casually shoved in his pockets and a wide grin covered his face.

Her cheeks heated at being caught unaware. “Just thinking about how comfortable I am being naked and how I wouldn’t have thought it possible a month ago.”

The grin was still in place as he crossed the room to her, though his eyes had grown dark. He lifted her chin with his hand. “I’m immensely pleased to see your growth as a submissive and how you’ve embraced your training.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“And I have no doubt you will be exemplary in your service to me today.”

A not so subtle reminder as to where her focus should be. “I truly enjoy serving you, Sir.” She nibbled on her lip, debating on whether or not she should say anything else. The thought of leaving him in a few days, of him taking off his collar, kept her quiet. She ran a finger along its edge.

“Sasha?”

But now was the time to show exactly how much she’d grown. She felt as if she’d accomplished so much in the short period of time they’d been together. Serving him was like nothing she’d ever experienced and he’d been so patient, helping her in her journey. She only had to think back to the tender way he cared for her during the sub drop she experienced to know she wouldn’t be in the place she was if it hadn’t been for him.

“I just wanted to say thank you for agreeing to these two weeks. I’ve learned so much and I think when the right Dom asks, I’ll be ready.”

His hand slipped to cup her cheek and he dropped his head so his lips almost brushed hers. “You think or you know you’ll be ready?”

“I know, Sir.”

“Words, little one.” His breath was warm on her skin. “They have meanings.”

“There’s something else I know.”

“Yes?”

“I know I don’t want to leave in two days.”