Page 176 of Masters of Control

“Yes, I’m fine,” Morgan said automatically.

Even though she wasn’t.

Her palms were sweaty, and her heart was beating faster than normal, and she… she was nervous. Even with her friends there to help her out, she felt like she was completely out of her depth. The last time she’d felt like this had been when Naomi and Drew had handed her off to Patrick, explaining he was Drew’s cousin and he’d keep her safe while they dealt with Master Richard.

It had been a leap into the unknown, and part of her had been sure they’d just sold her, the same way Master Jason had. But Patrick had been just as kind and gentle as his cousin, then he’d introduced her to Lexie and Freddy and his friends, and everything had fallen into place from there.

This would, too.

At least, that’s what she tried to tell herself, but it didn’t seem to be doing anything to help settle her nerves. She wanted to pace and flutter her hands, and she couldn’t. Not with all her friends there, watching. Taking a deep breath, she pushed down the emotions welling up inside her, the urge to move.

“It’s going to be okay,” Amy said soothingly, brushing the shirts off her lap and getting up to hug Morgan.

The secure weight of her arms around Morgan’s body made her feel a little better. She hugged Amy back, releasing her breath and searching for the calm that had deserted her. Amy was right. It was going to be okay. She could do this. She had to do this. If she chickened out now, she could only imagine how everyone would react.

They’d be supportive, of course, but who knew when she would get another chance to get away from the protective cocoon she’d been wrapped in? She’d be doted on, sympathized with, and no one would really understand. Not even her friends.

So, she was going. It was going to be okay because it had to be.

“I’m just nervous. What if I wear the wrong thing?” That wasn’t all she was nervous about, but it helped to focus on one thing. One fixable thing. Hopefully fixable, with her friends’ help.

“You’re not going to wear the wrong thing. We’re going to send you with options for every event, whether it’s dressy or more casual,” Sam said sternly. “And you can ask Asad for help. I’m sure he’ll be more helpful when presented individual questions and options.”

For a moment, it seemed as though she was about to say something more, but instead she sat back in the chair, watching the others. Amy let go of Morgan and stepped away, sliding her hand down so she could hold Morgan’s like a lifeline. Sometimes, Morgan didn’t like to be touched, but right now, she wanted something to hold on to, and Amy was making herself available.

She also didn’t want to hurt Amy’s feelings by pushing her away.

“I don’t want to look out of place.”

“The key is to overdress rather than underdress if you’re unsure of the dress code, and do it with confidence,” Marissa said, emerging from the closet with another dress. One that Morgan hadn’t picked out because she hadn’t been sure what she’d wear it to. “That way, even if you stand out, it’s in a good way.”

“She’s got a point. Plus, if you’re overdressed, you can always take off some jewelry or something to help tone it down.” Amy squeezed Morgan’s hand. “There’s not much you can do if you’re underdressed.”

“And you’re always going to look amazing no matter what you wear, so you have that going for you,” Sam added.

“Has anyone even seen Morgan without her makeup?” Noelle asked, teasing. Unlike Marissa, she came out of the closet empty handed.

“Nope, and if Morgan is smart, she’ll keep it that way for Asad.” Carolyn smirked. “Men don’t want the real thing, anyway. They like the fantasy.”

Asad and Morgan would be staying in the same hotel room to keep up appearances for his family. He had booked them one with a king-sized bed, which he’d said would be more than enough room for both of them, and Morgan agreed. She was used to sleeping on her full bed.

It would be interesting to sleep in a bed with someone else again. Master Jason had done that with her, but not Master Richard. She’d usually slept on the mattress he’d put in the corner for her or sometimes in the cage if she’d been bad. Sometimes, she’d fallen asleep on the couch or the mat in the Dungeon and stayed there. But never in his bed. He said it might give her ideas above her station. Morgan had never really understood what that meant, but she’d understood the rules about where to sleep clearly enough.

“Has Brian ever seen you without your makeup?” Noelle asked.

“A few times.” But not often. The other women weren’t wrong when they talked about Morgan wearing her makeup and hair done all the time. It had been a requirement of Master Richard’s. She’d tried going without it while she recovered from having her appendix removed, but she’d found she preferred to wear makeup.

Putting it on soothed her, and seeing the results gave her a boost of confidence she often needed. Mistress Julie said that as long as she was doing it for herself, that she was making the choice, there was nothing wrong with it. She’d heard quite a few people saying she didn’t ‘have’ to wear makeup or that they thought she’d be even prettier without it, but she wasn’t wearing it for them.

She was wearing it for her and because she liked to do her makeup. Mistress Julie said there was nothing wrong with that. Since Mistress Julie was also Morgan’s therapist, she trusted the Dominatrix’s opinion more than most.

“Where is Brian today?” Noelle asked. “Is he going to be around?”

“He’s out with friends,” Morgan replied, standing still as Marissa held up the dress she’d found in front of her.

Marissa nodded. “You should definitely bring this one. You said there’s an after-wedding brunch, right?”

“Yes,” Morgan said, looking down at the bold green-and-white print. Made of flowy material, the waist cinched in, but otherwise, it was blousy, with a skirt that ruffled around her legs as she walked. “It’s not too bold?”