“No, you listen here, sister. Don’t act like I swooped in on your Dom-sub relationship and stole yourMasteraway from you. He’s the one who drugged and transported me across the state line. I’m not here by choice.”
Her eyes widen. “Tristan isn’t here. You can leave, and no one will stop you. Go now before he comes home.”
“I would if I could, but it isn’t that easy.”
“Leaving is easy. I’ll help you get out. I’ll call for a cab right now and pay the fare to anywhere that you want to go.”
“I appreciate your kind offer to help, but you don’t understand. I can’t leave him.”
“Why not?” The warmth and gentleness in her voice is gone as quickly as it appeared.
“That’s between Tristan and me.”
Her large doe-eyes have narrowed into slits. “Has he fucked you?”
“No.” Why am I answering this woman’s questions? “Not that it’s any of your business.”
The muscles relax in her face, and she smiles. It’s like watching a demon transform into an angel. “Have you ever been a submissive?”
“No.”
“I can tell.” I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or insult. “Tristan is a fierce Dom. He’ll be much harder on you than Easton was on me last night. You’re going to need help with knowing how to soften him so that he doesn’t hurt you so badly.”
Hurt me so badly? “He told me that we would begin slowly and ease into what he wants from me.”
Her heads tilts to the side, and she forces a smile. “Oh, sweetheart. He may say that now, but things will be very different after he has a flogger in his hand. He can’t control himself. The man loves to inflict pain.”
Shit. He could really hurt me.
“How do Isoftenhim?”
“Don’t worry. I know all of the tricks, sweetie.” She holds out her hand. “I’m Claudia by the way.”
“I’m Emma Lia.”
“What a pretty name.”
“I’m named after my nana, Emma. My dad always loved the name Lia so he added it to distinguish between the two of us.”
“Then your name is extra special.”
I’m a gambler. I read people’s expressions and body language, and something about Claudia’s smile, her voice, her facial expressions… all of it feels off to me.
Maybe I’m reading into it too much. What harm could she possibly mean by telling me how to soften his harsh ways?
She’s Tristan’s ex-sub. Being replaced is probably painful for her and the reason her behavior feels off to me. “Are you sure that you want to help me? It won’t be awkward for you?”
“I want to help you… as long as you don’t tell Tristan that we spoke. New sub talking to the old one… he won’t like that. This will need to be our little secret.”
I don’t understand this lifestyle, but I can see why Tristan wouldn’t want his previous sub speaking to his new one. “It’ll be our secret.”
I’m eager to leave this place. The sooner that I begin pleasing him and repaying my debt, the sooner I’ll get out of here. “Tell me everything.”
11
Tristan Broussard
I was relievedwhen I came home and found that Emma Lia hadn’t flown the coop while I was at work, but discovering her in her bedroom, already showered for dinner and awaiting my instructions is a real prize. My new sub is a quick learner and eager to please. Maybe not inside the bedroom just yet but that part is coming. Soon.
