Page 132 of Masters of Control

He'd described himself to her as a service submissive, but it was sounding like he didn’t hold himself to that just for his Dominant but for everyone in his life. The more they talked about it, the more uncomfortable he became, a bit of distress showing in his expression, and Camille decided it might be best to change the topic to something lighter.

“So, other than Marquis, what’s your favorite thing to do in D.C.?”

Freddy’s eyes lit up, both with happiness and relief, and she was glad she’d changed the subject. They’d come back to it, eventually, especially if they started a relationship. She wouldn’t let any sub of hers wear themselves out—the way she wore herself out, if she was being perfectly honest—but it wasn’t something that was going to be fixed with one conversation. He needed a break.

“The cherry blossoms. I love the festival but also just walking around.”

“Oh, man, I haven’t been to see them since before I lived here,” she said wistfully. More than once, she’d driven from Baltimore to walk around the pink-lined Tidal Basin or through the street festival. One year she’d even run in the 5k, but it had been literal years. Once she’d moved to D.C., it had gotten harder to get herself together enough to go.

Before, it had been a fun trip to take with friends, whereas now she would have been going on her own, and she hadn’t had the energy. Especially when no one was relying on her to go with them.

“Well, if you’d like an escort to them this year…” He winked.

“I would like that.” Maybe it was foolhardy to make plans for several months in the future, but they weren’t real plans. They were more like plans to make plans. If something happened, and it didn’t work out between her and Freddy, no harm no foul. She just wouldn’t go see the cherry blossoms. Or she’d go on her own. Or maybe see if Julie wanted to go with her. Olivia, too.

She had options, which was more than she could say for herself a year ago, but she really hoped things would still be going well with Freddy then.

“What about you?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” she answered honestly. “I feel like I haven’t been to half of the things I want to go to. Even though I’ve lived in Maryland pretty much my whole life, I spent most of my time on the other side of the state, and when I got here… well, I meant to get out a lot more, but somehow, it didn’t happen.” She hadn’t had the energy or motivation. “I really liked the Museum of Natural History and made the effort to go to the African American Museum, but that’s about it.”

He chuckled.

“If it makes you feel any better, I haven’t been everywhere, either,” he admitted. “I’ve lived right outside D.C. my whole life, and I still haven’t been in the Washington Monument. Although that’s not entirely my fault because it was closed for repairs a lot by the time I was interested in it. Maybe we could do that together sometime.”

“That could be fun.” Her tone was noncommittal. Heights weren’t her favorite thing, and she wasn’t sure there was much else going on with the monument. “Do you have a favorite museum?”

“The Air and Space Museum,” he said immediately, grinning widely. “Especially the IMAX theater. And, of course, I have to get some dehydrated ice cream from the gift shop on my way out.”

Shaking her head, Camille shrugged.

“If you say so. I don’t think I’ve ever had dehydrated ice cream.”

“It’s more about the nostalgia than the taste or texture, so I can’t promise you’d enjoy it, but you should absolutely try some. You never know. It might be your new favorite thing.”

Laughing, Camille shook her head, but she already knew she would end up trying it. They talked about all the things Camille had wanted to do around the area but hadn’t gotten the chance to do. She could practically see Freddy taking mental notes, which warmed her, but she was understanding even more about what Shane had said.

They were going over all the things she might want to do.

What about the things Freddy wanted?

Freddy

Tonight was one of the best times he’d had in a long time, because this was more than a scene, this was a date. And talking to Camille was even better than he’d imagined. The conversation carried easily, though some of her probing questions made him inwardly squirm. He hadn’t realized how often he got people talking about themselves rather than sharing anything about himself until he realized how uncomfortable he was with the way she’d turn questions around on him.

It felt like stretching a muscle that didn’t get used very often.

They stayed long after Happy Hour was over, eating their way through almost every appetizer on the menu and eventually getting dessert, until they finally, reluctantly, gave up their seats, and Freddy walked her to her car.

“I had a wonderful time tonight.” The time had passed way too quickly as far as he was concerned. “Maybe… we could do something this weekend? Go see one of the museums you’re interested in?”

“How about you show me around the Air and Space Museum?” She grinned at him, though her shoulders hunched in as the bitter chill of winter wind blew past them. Some of the streets in D.C. basically turned into wind tunnels, and she’d parked on one of them.

As much as he wanted to keep talking, he didn’t want her to literally get cold feet because he was keeping her on the street.

“I would love to,” he said honestly. As much as he wanted to scene with her again, showing her around one of his favorite places sounded as good as hot sex. A real date. A planned one, not impromptu like tonight. “We could get lunch, too, though the best food is at the Native American museum.”

She laughed.