It’s eight minutes until eight when we sit down to dinner. I’m the one who is tardy tonight, thanks to a fucking gambling addict who wanted to see me about extending his credit. Again.
Emma Lia is seated at the table to my right wearing the electric-blue dress that I chose. Her shoulders are bare except for the dress’s thin straps. She has styled her hair in a lose bun at the crown of her head just as I instructed. Absolutely breathtaking. And a welcome sight after the shit day that I’ve had.
She takes notice of my staring and touches the back of her head. “Do I look okay? Is my hair right?”
“Perfect and gorgeous. Exactly the way that I wanted you to look tonight.”
“I’m glad that you approve.”
“Your eyes are amazing next to that color of blue. Even better than I imagined. I think I’ll have Elizabeth buy more things in that shade for you.”
“Who is Elizabeth?”
“Your personal shopper.”
She giggles, and I’m reminded of her tender age and innocence. “I was unaware that I had a personal shopper.”
“Elizabeth knows exactly what I like. It’s easier to let her take care of my sub’s needs.”
I met Elizabeth in my early twenties when I was still learning what it meant to be a Dom. Despite being acquainted with her through the lifestyle all of these years, she and I have never done a scene together. She has always had a monogamous Dom: her husband. And he doesn’t share her with anyone.
“Elizabeth shops for all of your submissives?”
“The way you say that makes it sound as though I cycle through them often. I don’t. I was with my last submissive for more than a year.”
“A year is a long time.” She smiles. “You have a better track record than I do then. I’ve not dated anyone for more than a few months at best.”
Our relationship will outlast anything that she has ever shared with another man. She probably believes that she has experienced passion, but it will be nothing compared to what we will share together.
“There’s no reason you should have been with any man for more than a few months; you’re only twenty-two.”
“You sound like my dad.”
“You should listen to your dad. He’s a smart man.” Conrad Grant didn’t get to where he is today by making bad decisions.
“If I had listened to my dad, I wouldn’t be here having this conversation with you right now.”
And she wouldn’t be my new submissive. I don’t care for that thought at all.
“I haven’t told you, but I’m very glad that you’re here. I’m looking forward to the time we’ll be spending together.”
Ray comes into the dining room and places a plate in front of each of us. “Butternut squash ravioli with seared chicken and asparagus.”
“Looks delicious,” we say in unison, and she looks down at her plate as she smiles.
“Will you require anything else?”
“No, Ray. This looks great.”
Emma Lia is still smiling while Ray leaves the room. “Something amusing you?”
“Ray calls you sir, but I bet that you don’t spank him over the dining room table.”
I chuckle aloud. “No. I definitely do not.”
“Does he know about your lifestyle?” she asks.
“We’ve not discussed it, but I’m certain that he must at least suspect.”
