“Ello Petal, what is going on here?” Miss Rice walked through the door wearing the biggest smile on her face.
She walked over to the chair that was now laying on its back on the floor. Picking it up and sitting it back on its legs, she gave me a pointed look. “I’ve only just bought this one, let’s make it at least a month if we can,” she stated mildly but as a subtle warning. I knew better than to argue with her when she had one of her ‘Mama Rice’ tones.
For such a small person with an adorable accent she could be quite intimidating. The other ladies liked to call her Dom Rice, because she could crack a whip better than some of the Doms here.
I chuckled to myself when I looked over and she had her head tilted and her hands folded across her chest, her signature power stance before a lecture.
“What’s got your knickers all bunched up love?”
“Nothing.” I spit back, a bit brattier than I intended, especially when talking to Miss Rice. “Sorry, it’s not your fault.” I said with a shrug as I walked over to my chair and slumped down.
I was well aware that I was acting like a damn whiny teenager, but Delaney’s effect on me grew stronger everyday and it brought me back to how I felt about my Natalie. That tender place within me, a soft spot that I never thought I could access again.
“Wellsomethinghas you quite wound up and looking kind of mad, honestly; so come on, let’s have it then,” she demanded with her hands extended out in front of her, waving her fingers in a ‘come here’ gesture demandingly.
I laughed out loud at her comical attempt at getting me to spill the beans.
“I don’t know, Miss Rice. I really don’t.” I tried to be nonchalant soI didn’t have to face what was actually bothering me: the raw desire I pretended not to have for Delaney Bennett.
“Nope, that’s not gonna work this time. You scared away everybody today even Jacob and he’s never scared of you. Come on out with it, Big Dawg.” As badly as I didn’t want to talk about it, Miss Rice is a bright woman whose honest opinion I trust. If anybody could help me decipher these emotions, it would no doubt be her.
“Alright. I think I am overwhelmed with my Sub situation.” Saying these clunky words out loud made me sound selfish or worse, turned off by Delaney but that’s definitely not at all close to my growing feelings for her.
Quite the opposite, actually.
Miss Rice is one of the few people I’ve ever really opened up to. She knows all about Natalie and the guilt I carry over it. She has been a true friend and when I start to slip, she always has a very special way of telling me I’m a dumb ass and pulling me from my self-pity.
“Okay.. and? You’ve literally dealt with brats on a weekly basis since you started your classes up stairs. What else is it?” She questioned knowingly. I turned to give her a pointed look because I already knew what she was insinuating and what I already knew to be true.
“Look, that’s not what she came here for, she came to be taught all the benefits of our lifestyle and to experience all it has to offer, it was our agreement. Me falling for her isn’t part of it.” I said the last part in a whisper reminding myself that I had a job to do: Be the teacher and then get back to my life, where it has always been safe for my broken heart.
“You know it’s really sad, how little you think of yourself. How you see yourself as unworthy of love and happiness. You made a mistake years ago, made a choice that you feel changed your life. Maybe it did, maybe it didn’t but the fact of the matter is, fate has a real fucked up way of dishing out what’s meant for us and neither you nor I can stopit.” She spoke sincerely, with her gaze pointed downwards.
When she brought her eyes back to meet mine again, I could see they were glossy and full of emotion.
“You are a wonderful man, Dallas, worthy of everything your heart desires, including Delaney and if she is meant to have your heart it will happen on its own. Let the wind blow where it may and just have fun. Don’t put too much pressure on things. Enjoy teaching her and guiding her, things will become what they must.” She finished with her hand placed gently on my shoulder giving me a comforting squeeze. “Personally, I think if she turned you down for any reason it would be because of all those crayons you ate as a little boy.” She smirked. Miss Rice wasn’t herself if she wasn’t teasing me and having the last laugh.
“Crayons? Really?” I shook my head as she walked out of my office taking all my anxiety and rage with her.
“How the fuck does she do that?” I said out loud to no one in particular.
“I don’t know but I’m grateful for her seemingly magical powers.” Jacob chimed in as he walked over and plopped down on the chair that sat in the corner of my office. “Magical powers and not at all hard on the eyes, I mean blue hair and an accent, sheesh.” He shook his head and bit down on his balled up fist in an exaggerated motion.
“Watch your mouth,” I snapped. Miss Rice would have his balls on a stick if she heard him talking like that. Honestly, I was kinda hoping she would come walking right back in that very moment, it sure would bring some light to the gloom that engulfed my heart. A distraction, if you will.
“What we got going tonight, boss?” He chuckled as he asked, standing up and straightening his suit. I require all my staff to dress themselves as sharply as they can. When you look nice, you feel nice, and it’s good for the team morale. Showing up looking like a professional is just downright great for business, too.
“I think I’m gonna take an early leave tonight but I do need you to do a couple of things for me.” He pulled out a small notebook from his pocket and stared in my direction, waiting expectantly.
“Head over to Le Boudoir, ask Lady Gisele to put together something, anything red and in Delaney’s size. I’ll need it delivered to my office here at the club no later than 4:00 p.m. Miss Mary will know what to do with it. See to it that this task goes to no one else.
Miss Mary was a new staff member. All the girls loved her. She was new to California, you could tell by the draw in her voice that instantly gave her away. I started her on small tasks like dressing room duty and equipment duty. She’s in charge of keeping the specialty rooms stocked with the highest quality erotic toys, lubes, furniture…you name it, she stocks our club with it.
He smirked as he continued to scribble his notes. “Sounds like you’re gonna have a pretty big night?”
“Jacob, go do your job and don’t worry about me.” I said with humor in my tone. He knew how to really push my buttons but never too far, we had a lighthearted dynamic going.
* * *
