Page 34 of Masters of Control

“Well, I can do my own hair then.”

“I would want to do my own makeup, but that sounds like fun,” Morgan said brightly, then glanced at Sam. “No offense, Sam. You’re good at makeup…”

“But you’re better, and I wouldn’t do nearly as good a job on your own makeup. No offense taken.” Sam grinned. No offense taken for the bald truth. Morgan was getting better about not stating things so bluntly, something Sam didn’t comment on since Noelle was there.

If Morgan wanted to ask Noelle to help her figure out how to soften some of her statements, she would. In the meantime, Sam wasn’t going to open up Morgan’s private business in front of someone else.

She also wasn’t going to insist on paying Morgan. How could she after Morgan had called her ‘best friend?’ Makeup was the kind of thing best friends did for each other. If Morgan ever needed occasional help from Sam, she knew she wouldn’t charge her, but she was also determined to find some way to show her appreciation.

Finishing cleaning up, Morgan picked up her phone and glanced at the display.

“Oops, time for us to get going. Q should be here soon!” Picking up her makeup case, she made a shooing motion for Sam and Noelle would get out of her way and give her space to get into the hallway.

Nerves rose inside of Sam. Q should be picking her up in about ten minutes. How had the time flown so fast?

This is why I don’t do my hair and makeup every morning… I’d rather sleep than get up even earlier to have the time to do it.

“Have fun!” Morgan said, giving Sam a hug as she passed her.

“Let us know how it goes!” Noelle followed Morgan to the front door. “I want to hear everything!”

“I’ll text you both later.” Having their support made her feel a little less anxious, though the butterflies in her stomach were even more fluttery once they left her all alone. She closed the door behind them, putting her hand over her stomach to quell the sensation. Of course, it didn’t work.

Dammit.

She was a grown woman going on a date, not a teenager going to prom. Even though that’s exactly what Q made her feel like.

Was dating him a smart idea?

Not only did they have a past, even if it had been high school stuff, but they were doing the sub class together, which could also complicate matters. Sub frenzy, where a submissive became attached to any Dominant who they felt a connection with, was a real thing. That was why the class usually switched instructors around, which had been easy enough when the entire class had happened to be full of straight male Doms and straight female submissives. That wasn’t the case with this class.

Sam wandered to the mirror by the front door and stared at herself.

She looked like herself but different. Like a grown-up version of herself who was far more put together and far more confident than she actually was. Somehow who knew what she was doing.

Yet she was going on a date with the boy from high school.

A second chance to get it right.

Not that she was sure she’d done the wrong thing when she’d changed her mind about prom, but there was a part of her that still wondered.

The doorbell rang, and she jumped, startled, her cheeks blushing hot with color at her reaction.

Shit! He’s here!

Time to see what happened next.

Q

He’d seen Sam in high school. He’d seen Sam all grown up. He’d seen Sam in the fetware she wore to Stronghold and Marquis… but he hadn’t ever quite seen Sam like this. Casual and comfortable, yet sexy as hell. While he was really looking forward to one day seeing her completely comfortable, in pajamas with her hair up and no makeup, he had to admit that he really liked this side of her.

“Damn. You look amazing.” His gaze traveled from the soft curls framing her face to eyes that seemed even bigger than usual to her cheeks pink and down to her exposed cleavage, framed by the light blue sweater she was wearing, and the jeans hugging her hips and thighs.

He’d kept his own clothing casual as well, though he’d put a beige jacket on over his “May the (mass x acceleration) be with you” t-shirt to dress himself up a little since it was a date. Sam’s eyes dropped to the writing on his shirt, and he parted the front of the jacket so that she could see the whole thing, and she laughed.

“Why am I not surprised?” She grinned at him, eyes sparkling with amusement. Their gazes caught and the chemistry between them sizzled in the air. The impulse to step forward and kiss her was strong, but he knew they’d never make it on their date if he did that.

He really wanted to take her on a date.